Parliament Probes Brethren's Election Role

0:00From Sydney, this is your March 15th update. A parliamentary committee is probing reports of aggressive and intimidating behavior at polling booths during the last federal election. Much of it links back to members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, who campaign heavily for Liberal leader Peter Dunn. The group, once called the exclusive brethren, mobilized thousands nationwide. Now the committee wants Dunn to testify later this month about his team's ties to them. Chair, Jerome Laxale, sent a letter noting that Dutton staffer Sam Jackson Hope, handled brethren outreach. He wants Dunn's take on that relationship and how the church became such a big part of the Liberal effort. Questions linger over coordination, funding, and any policy deals, especially after Prime Minister Anthony Alvinese called the group a cult. Voters shared disturbing stories, like a young mother hit with pamphlets by brethren members because she skipped the Liberal How-To-Voke card. The inquiry looks at whether this amounted to domestic interference and if the church needed to register as a third-party campaigner, given there.

1:04Massive in-kind support worth millions. In a related move, Laxale invited former Liberal figures Nick Mention and Prue Goward, whose review slammed the party's campaign as its worst ever. Their report, first buried then leaked and tabled in Parliament, urged better booth training but also more third-party alliances without naming the. Brethren, Mention and Goward turned down the invite with Liberals calling the request improper. Dunn has not commented. The hearings continue to unpack the elections darker side. Thanks to our sponsor for helping bring you this episode. When you need a moment alone, just lay back and listen. S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.