Creator Drama
Church Accused of Paying Influencers for Election Harassment
Ongoing
Photo: Sharefaith, Pexels All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.
By the numbers: this timeline documents 8 events from Nov 30, 2024 to Aug 28, 2026, drawn from 3 sources.
“Much was made of the fact that some individuals in the church volunteered during the election, and that was used to justify it becoming open season on the Christian brethren,”
via abc.net.au
Background
The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren, is a conservative evangelical Protestant Christian group with origins in Ireland and England in the 1820s. The sect emerged from individuals who grew frustrated with mainline denominations and sought to meet on a basic premise of sharing the Lord’s Supper.
The name "Plymouth Brethren" stems from one of its early leaders, Irishman John Nelson Darby, who began meeting in Plymouth, England, with others who had seceded from the Church of England. In 1848, the Brethren split into the "Open Brethren" and the "Exclusive Brethren," with the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church being the largest of the Exclusive Brethren sects.
Globally, the church has approximately 50,000 followers, with the largest concentration of about 15,000 members residing in Australia.
A core principle underpinning the Brethren sect is its belief in "separation from evil." This doctrine, as described in the group’s statement of belief, encourages members to "separate from evil in this world and hold aloof from every form of wickedness in our daily walk" to achieve "union with Christ and unity with God." While this principle does not advocate for isolation from the world, it encourages distancing from beliefs and practices deemed contrary to biblical principles, effectively limiting contact with "worldly" people to avoid moral corruption.
This approach, which can be understood as a form of separation holiness, presents complexities for the church in adapting to a changing, increasingly progressive Australian society while maintaining its traditional beliefs and values. The church asserts that, unlike other denominations, it has maintained its core beliefs and values from the 1950s without change.
In recent times, the church has faced scrutiny regarding its alleged political involvement. This context forms the backdrop for allegations that emerged concerning the 2025 federal election campaign, where the church was accused of orchestrating political harassment.
The timeline
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Allegations Emerge Regarding 2025 Federal Election Campaign
Nine Newspapers reportedly published allegations accusing the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church of secretly paying individuals to disrupt Labor's re-election campaign during the 2025 federal election. These reports claimed that members of the wealthy Christian group, formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren, engaged figures, including far-right influencers, in a coordinated effort to harass and track candidates. The church has denied these allegations, maintaining that only individual members campaigned during the election and that there was no institutional coordination.[2721]
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Influencer Laurence McIntyre Reportedly Yells at Prime Minister Albanese
As part of the allegations reported by Nine Newspapers, influencer Laurence McIntyre was reportedly engaged by church members and was observed yelling at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the first day of the 2025 federal election campaign. The reports suggest this incident was part of a broader, coordinated effort involving influencers. The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church has denied paying people for such disruptions.[2721]
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Candidates Report High Numbers of Liberal Volunteers at Polling Booths
During the 2025 federal election, multiple candidates reported observing unusually large numbers of Liberal volunteers manning pre-poll booths in several key marginal seats. These candidates reportedly believed that many of these volunteers were members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, mobilized by the Brethren. At the time of the election, both the Coalition and the Brethren denied that any formal arrangement for support was in place between them.[2721]
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Church Director Lloyd Grimshaw Appears Before Senate Inquiry
Lloyd Grimshaw, a director of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, appeared via video link before the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquiry into the 2025 federal election at Parliament House in Canberra. Mr. Grimshaw vehemently denied the allegations of church involvement in political harassment, labeling them a "complete lie." He asserted that the church made no donations to political parties or third parties. Grimshaw claimed that church members themselves were victims of "extraordinary attacks" at polling booths, stating, "Much was made of the fact that some individuals in the church volunteered during the election, and that was used to justify it becoming open season on the Christian brethren." He insisted there was no "institutional coordination" by the church, emphasizing that any volunteering by members was done in their private time for "normal reasons," such as supporting a candidate they believed in or assisting with election-day barbecues, reflecting a "very strong" volunteering culture within the church. He also challenged the specificity of the allegations, noting, "The story makes not one specific allegation about a specific member of our church. Without names, it doesn't even make a threshold for gossip. It's a tale."[2721]
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Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke Calls for Accountability on Intimidation
Ahead of the Senate inquiry, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke publicly stated that it was essential for Australia's democracy to "draw a line" on the alleged behavior, particularly concerning physical intimidation around election time. He expressed grave concern, noting, "There are countries throughout the world where people get paid to engage in physical intimidation around election time, and the thought that Australia has been added to that list should send a chill among everyone who loves this country." Mr. Burke highlighted that he had been spending an "increasing" portion of his time dealing with threats against individuals associated with federal parliament, alongside the Australian Federal Police. He called on the Liberal Party to explain what they knew about the Brethren during the campaign and urged One Nation to "explain if they are welcoming these same individuals."[2721]
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Independent MP Monique Ryan Challenges Grimshaw's Claims on Volunteer Identifiability
During the Senate inquiry, independent MP Monique Ryan challenged Lloyd Grimshaw's assertion that Plymouth Brethren Christian Church volunteers were not identifiable. She specifically described women canvassing in the electorate of Kooyong who reportedly wore a uniform of black skirts and leggings and repeatedly used the phrase, "Make Australia happy again." In response to Ryan's observations, Mr. Grimshaw stated that the church had no input into volunteer coordination in Kooyong. He further clarified that questions regarding reported calls made for the Liberal Party were matters for that party to address.[2723]
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Former Deputy PM Michael McCormack Highlights Union Harassment at Polling Booths
Nationals MP and former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack commented on the allegations, stating that while they should be investigated, the union movement was also responsible for harassment at polling booths. He did not provide a specific example to support his claim regarding union involvement.[2721]
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Media Reports Link Opposition Leaders to Brethren Charity Event
Media reports published around this date reportedly linked Opposition Leader Angus Taylor and Liberal Party President Tony Abbott to a public-facing charity event associated with the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. The reports indicated this connection allegedly occurred during an event that weekend.[2722]
Frequently asked
What is the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church?
The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren, is a conservative evangelical Protestant Christian group with origins in the 1820s in Ireland and England. It adheres to a doctrine of "separation from evil," which involves limiting contact with "worldly" people to avoid moral corruption. The largest number of its approximately 50,000 global followers reside in Australia.
What are the main allegations against the church?
The church is reportedly accused by Nine Newspapers of secretly paying individuals, including far-right influencers, to disrupt Labor's re-election campaign during the 2025 federal election. Allegations include coordinating influencers to harass and track candidates, and mobilizing church members as Liberal volunteers at polling booths.
How has the church responded to the allegations?
Lloyd Grimshaw, a director of the church, has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them a "complete lie." He stated that the church made no political donations and that any volunteering by members was individual, private activity, not institutionally coordinated. He also claimed church members were victims of attacks at polling booths.
What is the current status of the allegations?
The allegations are currently being examined by a Senate inquiry into the 2025 federal election. The church continues to deny all claims of institutional involvement in political harassment or payments. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has called for accountability regarding alleged intimidation, urging the Liberal Party and One Nation to provide explanations.
Related drama
Sources
- abc.net.au, The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church has denied allegations it secretly paid people to disrupt Labor's re-election campaign last year in a coordinated effort involving far-right influencers and trac, Aug 28, 2026.
- theconversation.com, In recent days, investigative journalists have accused members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church of mobilising far-right influencers to harass and heckle Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, as we, Aug 28, 2026.
- ozarab.media, Arabic version: كنيسة الإخوة ترفض اتهامات بالتحرش الانتخابيAccording to ABC News, the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church has denied allegations that it secretly paid people, including far-right influe, Aug 28, 2026.
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 8 dated events from 3 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “Church Accused of Paying Influencers for Election Harassment.”
GenZHype, 4 September 2026,
https://genzhype.com/drama/church-accused-of-paying-influencers-for-election-harassment/.