The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church has denied allegations that it secretly paid far-right influencers to stage stunts targeting Anthony Albanese and other politicians during the 2025 election. The church made these denials during an appearance at a parliamentary inquiry into the election.
Lloyd Grimshaw, a director at the Brethren church, told the parliamentary inquiry on Friday that reporting by Nine newspapers on the matter was a "complete lie." He stated that his church did not make any donations or provide support to political parties or third parties involved in the election.
The church also refuted claims that it had coordinated hundreds of volunteers to support Liberal candidates, including at polling booths. Grimshaw confirmed that church members did participate as volunteers but denied that the church instructed them or facilitated any payments for travel to support candidates.
Grimshaw criticised the prime minister's description of the Brethren church as a "cult," calling it offensive, untrue, and hurtful. The Labor-chaired electoral matters committee, in its interim report, claimed democracy was "under assault" from third parties including the Brethren church and Advance. However, the Coalition accused Labor of turning the inquiry into a "hyper-partisan witch-hunt" against church members.