Secret religious sect Exclusive Brethren found campaigning for Liberals

Members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren, have been flocking to pre-poll booths in a bid to win votes for Liberal candidates.

Members of a notoriously secret religious sect whose members do not vote are campaigning en-masse for Liberal candidates in crucial marginal seats.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal 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 Ron Arkcoll campaigning in Parramatta. 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.

The church has rejected that description.

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.

Originally published as Secret religious sect Exclusive Brethren found campaigning for Liberals