A parliamentary inquiry is examining allegations that the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, also known as the Exclusive Brethren, ran a covert multimillion-dollar influence operation during Australia’s 2025 federal campaign to disrupt events, intimidate opponents, and sway opinions in favor of the Liberal-Nationals coalition.

Leaked messages and investigative reports tie senior Brethren elders, including Gareth Hales, to coordination chats and payments through Sante Global, linking the church to paying far-right activists to tail MPs and stage stunts.

The operation reportedly involved paying mid-level actors tens of thousands of dollars, with funds routed through cash, shell companies, and middlemen to coordinate Brethren posters, advertisements, and coordinated disruptions.

Church spokespeople have denied involvement, though testimony has been criticized as shallow or inconsistent, and tensions have grown as Brethren-sponsored events drew attendance from political leaders.

Parliamentary committees are prepared to issue subpoenas to compel the church’s world leader and his son to testify about secret payments, private intelligence on MPs, and the coordinated stunts if voluntary cooperation falls short.

Context notes that previous reporting and party reviews describe the Brethren as a “support group,” with ongoing scrutiny about religious influence in elections and the party’s internal response.

Investigations show hundreds of staged ambushes of MPs, with private intel provided to participants and thousands of dollars flowing to agitators involved in the covert campaign.

There are reports of Brethren actors tailing MPs, tracking the prime minister’s movements, and attending events to maximize disruption, including at hotels and polling venues.

Key Brethren figures, including Gareth Hales and elder Lester Sharples, participated in planning chats, logistics, and funding arrangements for the stunts, which were not publicly disclosed as political spending.

Despite denials, sources confirm organized involvement, including transport to events and monitoring security details to aid disruption.

Leaked communications suggest coordination with far-right associates, with payments to activists and tailing of MPs linked to aims of embarrassing the Opposition and elevating the Coalition.

Public reaction has voiced concern about the democratic chilling effect and demands accountability and transparency regarding the church’s political activities and funding.