Anthony Albanese questions whether there’s a ‘quid pro quo’ in secretive religious sect canvassing for Liberals

Anthony Albanese has questioned if there is a “quid pro quo” between the Liberals and members of a secretive religious sect – but his opponent says there’s nothing sinister in it.

Anthony Albanese has questioned if there is a “quid pro quo” between the Liberal Party and members of a secretive religious sect opposed to voting who appear to be co-ordinating to hand out how-to-vote flyers for the Coalition in key seats.

The Prime Minister said the Liberals needed to “explain” reports that members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church – previously known as the Exclusive Brethren, which he also described as a “cult” – were turning out at early polling booths in seats like Parramatta in Sydney, Blair in Queensland and Gorton in Victoria.

“Where are all these people coming from? Why are they campaigning?” Mr Albanese asked.

“They don’t vote, by the way, but they all of a sudden have found this enthusiasm in their hundreds to travel around the country to hand out how to vote cards.

“What’s the quid pro quo? What is going on there?”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today demanded to know if there was a “quid pro quo” inspiring members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church to canvass votes for the Liberal Party. Picture: Getty Images

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he took no issue with sect members handing out for the party but denied the Liberal Party had recruited from particular religions.

“The Prime Minister says that he hates Tories, Tory supporters etc – that’s an issue for him,” he said.

“We’re not discriminating against anybody on the basis of their religion. We have people, I suspect, every religious type, supporting us.”

The Brethren has denied being a cult in a section on their “frequently asked questions” page online answering “why do people reference the (church) as a cult. Are you?”

“We are not a cult,” the website said.

According to the same website, members of the group “generally … don’t vote”.

Mr Albanese’s comments come after The Daily Telegraph revealed that members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren, have been flocking to pre-poll booths in seats including Bennelong, Parramatta, and Macquarie, in a bid to win votes for Liberal candidates.

That is despite their own religious beliefs which “generally” prevent them from voting.

Labor campaigners believe the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church has been campaigning en-masse for Liberal candidates. Picture: Supplied

A number of high-profile Brethren members appear to have been pictured campaigning for the Liberal Party, including the managing director of the church’s charitable arm, the Rapid Relief Team (RRT).

RRT’s Managing Director Ron Arkcoll appears to have been pictured campaigning for Katie Mullens in Parramatta.

A man appearing to be Robbie Williams, pictured campaigning for the Liberals in Macquarie. Picture: Supplied

Rapid Relief Team managing director Ron Arkcoll. Picture: Supplied

Brethren member Robbie Williams, who was profiled by the church for his RRT work, also appears to have been handing out for Mike Creed in Macquarie.

A NSW Labor source said members of the church had been seen campaigning in seven battleground seats since pre-poll opened last week.

They included Parramatta, Macquarie, Bennelong, Reid, Shortland, Eden-Monaro, and Whitlam.

Labor sources also believe members of the Brethren have been handing out for Liberals on the Queensland seat of Blair, and the Victorian seats of Gorton and Hawke.

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church states on its website that its members “generally … do not vote”. However, it notes that “individual members may take an interest in politics”.

It has been previously reported that members are prohibited from voting by church organisers.

One ex-member of the religious sect, Ben Woodbury, has been identifying Liberal party campaigners, who he believes to be members of the group, on social media.

Former members, including Mr Woodbury, have labelled the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church a “cult,” over what they say is the church’s control over members’ lives.

Labor campaigners believe the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church has been campaigning en-masse for Liberal candidates. Picture: Supplied

In a statement, a Plymouth Brethren Christian Church spokesman said that the church had “not organised or co-ordinated any volunteer efforts of any type in any location”.

This masthead asked the church why prominent members, including Mr Arkcoll and Mr Williams, were campaigning for Liberal candidates in NSW electorates.

“The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is not involved in these kinds of political activities,” the spokesman said.

However, he said that “many” members of the church had “decided to volunteer” for candidates across the political spectrum.

He said “some” members exercise the right to not vote on religious grounds, but others “choose to both vote and actively engage in politics”.

The Liberal Party’s campaign office was contacted for comment.