Exclusive Brethren secretly paid far-right activists to perform stunts disrupting the federal election
An investigation has revealed that the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church allegedly funded far-right activists to disrupt political campaigns during the 2025 Australian federal election. The church has categorically denied these allegations as a parliamentary inquiry begins.
Why it matters
Raises significant concerns regarding the influence of religious organizations in political processes and the use of paid agitators to disrupt democratic elections.
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Share A A A Elders of a wealthy Christian sect secretly paid bundles of cash to far-right activists for an “influence campaign” to disrupt Albanese government appearances during the last federal election.
An investigation by this masthead has uncovered a digital trail of evidence revealing how the church, formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren, mobilised far-right figures around the country to track and heckle candidates from Labor and the Greens, along with independents, as part of a wider multimillion-dollar campaign for then-Liberal leader Peter Dutton.
When far-right influencer Laurence McIntyre yelled at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about immigration on the first day of the election campaign, it looked like just a random attack from the fringes of politics.
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