AI-written summary of reporting by ABC News Australia. No human editor reviewed this. AI can misread or omit facts — read the original, linked below.
ABSTRACT

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church appeared before an Australian Senate inquiry to deny allegations, reported by Nine Newspapers, that it secretly paid individuals — including far-right influencers — to disrupt Labor's re-election campaign through coordinated activity and physical intimidation at polling booths.

ABC News Australia

Plymouth Brethren Christian Church denies paying operatives to disrupt Labor campaign

Plymouth Brethren Christian Church denies paying operatives to disrupt Labor campaign
Aug 20, 2026, 8:36 PM

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church appeared before an Australian Senate inquiry to deny allegations, reported by Nine Newspapers, that it secretly paid individuals — including far-right influencers — to disrupt Labor's re-election campaign through coordinated activity and physical intimidation at polling booths.

Context

Nine Newspapers reported that members of the church, formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren, engaged figures including influencer Laurence McIntyre, who reportedly yelled at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the first day of the federal election campaign.

Lloyd Grimshaw, a director of the church, appeared before the Senate inquiry and denied the church made donations to political parties or third parties, and said allegations against members amounted to a 'complete lie.'

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke addressed the inquiry ahead of the church's appearance, calling for accountability over the alleged behaviour and for both the Liberal Party and One Nation to explain their knowledge of or connections to the individuals involved.

Nationals MP and former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack said the allegations warranted investigation but drew a parallel with what he described as harassment by union members at polling booths.

All Perspectives
Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (Lloyd Grimshaw): Grimshaw called the allegations a 'complete lie' and denied the church paid any political donations. He said church members themselves were victims of 'extraordinary attacks' at polling booths, and argued the reporting lacked specificity: '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.' He acknowledged a 'very strong' volunteering culture in the church but said members had 'normal reasons' for volunteering, such as supporting a candidate or helping with an election-day barbecue, adding: 'Not every person in a blue shirt, with a side part, or with a bow in their hair was a member of the Brethren church.'
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke: Burke said it was essential to Australia's democracy to 'draw a line' on the alleged behaviour, particularly physical intimidation. He said: '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.' He also called on the Liberal Party to explain what they knew about the Brethren during the campaign, and said One Nation must 'explain if they are welcoming these same individuals.'
Nationals MP Michael McCormack: McCormack said the allegations should be investigated but argued the union movement was also responsible for harassment at polling booths. He said he had previously been 'pushed and heckled and spat on' and described it as an 'unfortunate part' of being a Coalition member. He stated: 'I think the very far right and the very far left of politics are both dangerous, frankly. It should be investigated, and it doesn't need to happen.'
Position not represented in the source reporting: Liberal Party; One Nation; Laurence McIntyre.
Gaps & Unknowns
  • The source does not state whether the Senate inquiry has the power to compel evidence or impose penalties.
  • The source does not identify which specific election — federal or state — is under investigation beyond describing it as Labor's 're-election campaign last year.'
  • The source does not state what specific evidence, if any, Nine Newspapers cited in support of the payment allegations.
  • The source does not include any response from the Liberal Party or One Nation to Burke's calls for them to explain their knowledge of the individuals involved.
  • The source does not state whether Laurence McIntyre has responded to the allegations linking him to the church.
  • McCormack said he had been 'pushed and heckled and spat on' but did not provide a specific example, and the source does not state when or where this occurred.
Sources & Further Reading
  1. ABC News Australia — original

Read the original at ABC News Australia

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