Exclusive Brethren head denies knowing church members were volunteering for Liberal party during 2025 election
Bruce Hales, the leader of the Exclusive Brethren, testified before a parliamentary committee denying any involvement in church members volunteering for the Liberal party during the 2025 election. The hearing also addressed allegations that the church functions as a cult.
Why it matters
It raises questions about the intersection of religious organizations and political campaigning in Australia.
Bruce Hales, the Brethren’s most senior member, said he had no involvement or knowledge of church members volunteering for the Coalition. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh/AAP Bruce Hales, the Brethren’s most senior member, said he had no involvement or knowledge of church members volunteering for the Coalition. Photograph: Hilary Wardhaugh/AAP Australian politics Exclusive Brethren head denies knowing church members were volunteering for Liberal party during 2025 election Bruce Hales also denies church was a cult while son tells parliamentary committee it was ‘a bit rough’ being labelled as such
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Prefer the Guardian on Google The most senior member of the Exclusive Brethren has denied any knowledge of or involvement in thousands of members from his church volunteering for the Liberal party at the 2025 election.
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