Political interference allegations by sect 'chilling'

Allegations of political interference by members of the Christian sect Plymouth Brethren have been labelled as damaging to democracy, according to a church leader. During the 2025 election, multiple candidates reported an unusually large number of Liberal volunteers manning pre-poll booths, many believed to be Plymouth Brethren Christian Church members.

Brethren director Lloyd Grimshaw denied the church had any coordinated part in campaigns and claimed the behaviour of members was distinct from that of the church itself. The allegations were deemed "really disappointing" even if not coordinated by the church, by inquiry chair and Labor MP Jerome Laxale. Central to the inquiry was the question of how much autonomy individual church members were given, with Grimshaw denying claims made by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that the Brethren church was a "cult."

The Australian Federal Police commissioner and Home Affairs Minister both expressed concern over the potential for physical intimidation to become a fee-for-service, stating that such an event would be alarming in the context of rising security threats faced by federal politicians.