MPs clash over grilling of Exclusive Brethren leader on alleged election campaigning – video

Exclusive Brethren leader Bruce Hales denies any role in coordinating church members’ campaigning for the Liberals during the 2025 federal election, telling a parliamentary inquiry he had ‘no knowledge’ of the events and ‘no part in planning them’. Hales says his sons may have deliberately kept him in the dark, saying it was ‘quite likely’ they had not sought his permission, as MPs grilled him over members’ presence at polling booths and ‘Make Australia smile again’ campaign signage Brethren church denies paying far-right activists to stage election stunts targeting Albanese and others