A parliamentary inquiry has found that democracy came 'under assault' at the 2025 federal election by third parties, including members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and right-wing lobby group Advance, recommending new laws to police behaviour at polling booths.
Key recommendations from the interim report
The interim report from the Labor-led joint standing committee on electoral matters, tabled on Tuesday, proposed a mandatory code of conduct for campaigners at polling places. The code would apply in designated 'campaign zones' around booths, restricting the number of campaigners and signage. The committee also recommended reviewing the threshold for entities to be considered 'significant third parties' under federal electoral laws, subjecting them to greater regulation.
The chair of the committee, Labor MP Jerome Laxale, said in a speech to parliament that what occurred at the federal election 'felt like an assault on our democracy, especially in targeted seats'. He added: '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.'
Coalition dismisses findings as 'witch hunt'
The Coalition dismissed the findings, accusing Labor of turning the election inquiry into a 'hyper-partisan witch hunt' against members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. Liberal senator Jess Collins said: '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.' Liberal MP Ben Small described the inquiry as a 'one-eyed hyper-partisan witch hunt of a group of religious Australians'.
Reports of antisocial behaviour at polling places
The committee received dozens of reports about the conduct of Plymouth Brethren Christian Church members, who turned out en masse to support Liberal candidates in marginal seats. The church acknowledged some members were involved but denied it was organised by the church. The report did not name groups but said a 'significant proportion' of reports of antisocial behaviour were linked to 'third parties'.
Committee seeks to compel witnesses
The committee announced it would seek to compel witnesses from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and Advance to attend public hearings, a step described as 'extraordinary' but 'necessary'. Church director Lloyd Grimshaw indicated he was prepared to give evidence to 'state the facts'. A church spokesperson said the church wanted to appear to 'confirm directly and plainly that the church did not support, coordinate or otherwise participate in the 2025 election'. A spokesperson for Advance told Guardian Australia: 'Jerome Laxale is a sook who is currently conducting a witchhunt into anyone who disagrees with him.'
Wider review of electoral laws
The interim report also called for 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 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.
