A parliamentary inquiry has found that Australia's democracy came "under assault" from significant third parties, including members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and right-wing lobby group Advance, during the 2025 federal election. The chair of the joint standing committee on electoral matters, Labor MP Jerome Laxale, said new laws are needed to police behaviour at polling booths.
Proposed Code of Conduct for Campaigners
The committee's interim report, tabled on Tuesday, recommends a mandatory code of conduct for all participants at polling places, enforced in designated campaign zones where the number of campaigners and signage would be restricted. The report also calls for a review of the threshold for entities to be considered significant third parties under federal electoral laws.
The committee received dozens of reports about the conduct of Plymouth Brethren Christian Church members, who turned out en masse in support of Liberal candidates in marginal seats. The church acknowledged some members were involved but denied it was organised by the church.
Coalition Dismisses Findings as 'Witch Hunt'
The Coalition has dismissed the findings, with Liberal senator Jess Collins accusing Labor of turning the inquiry into a "hyper-partisan witch hunt" against church members. "The way that they have been treated by Labor for exercising their right to participate in our political process is a stain on our democracy," Collins said.
In a speech to parliament, Laxale said: "Many described this assault by third parties, identified in submissions like the Plymouth Brethren and Advance, as a fundamental disruption to the foundations of our free and fair voting process." He added: "In an electoral system where it is compulsory for adults to participate, every effort must be made to ensure that the electoral process is safe, fair and inviting for all involved."
Committee Calls for Wider Review
The interim report also recommends a wider review of electoral laws to protect the voting process from "domestic interference". Laxale said: "In the face of evidence received to date, a strong argument can be made that any behaviour designed to dissuade participation in the electoral process could be considered domestic interference."
The committee last week announced it would seek to compel witnesses from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and Advance to attend public hearings. The church's director, Lloyd Grimshaw, has written to the committee to advise he is prepared to give evidence to "state the facts". A church spokesperson said it wanted to appear to "confirm directly and plainly that the church did not support, coordinate or otherwise participate in the 2025 election".
An Advance spokesperson told Guardian Australia: "Jerome Laxale is a sook who is currently conducting a witchhunt into anyone who disagrees with him. We won't be listening to his lectures about who is and isn't allowed to participate in elections in this country."
The inquiry will now focus on other terms of reference, including fixed four-year terms and increasing the number of MPs, before tabling its final report in November.
