Brethren hit back after MP filmed asking volunteer’s religion
A church has hit back at suggestions they are linked to the Liberal Party, saying they are being harassed including by an MP caught on camera asking about their religion. SEE THE VIDEO
Members of the exclusive religious sect campaigning for Liberal candidates despite ‘generally’ not voting themselves have been advised to ‘avoid’ answering detailed questions, while repeating Coalition talking points.
Members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church started receiving the messages after this masthead reported that people linked with the sect had been turning out en-masse to support Liberal candidates.
On its website, the church says it is "not a cult". According to its website, members "generally … don't vote," for religious reasons.
Ex-member Ben Woodbury, who calls the church a “cult,” said the texts were being sent to members by others higher up in the sect.
The texts offered "helpful tips" for members if approached by opposing candidates or volunteers.
The text said that members have "every right" to volunteer, suggesting campaigners "avoid getting drawn into extended conversations".
It suggests saying that the church did not ask them to volunteer: "I'm volunteering for [xxx] today because I care about our country and want to help get Australia back on track," the suggestion reads.
Asked about the text, a spokesman for the sect said that the suggested response – echoing Liberal talking points – did not come from the church.
“If that is being used by volunteers on campaigns, that is a matter for them in conjunction with whichever party they are assisting. Please do not link us to it. It has nothing to do with us,” he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday demanded the Liberals "explain" if there was a "quid pro quo" between the party and the secret religious sect, formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren.
“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.
“What's the quid pro quo?" he said.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said his party had not recruited the church members.
“We're not discriminating against anybody on the basis of their religion. We have people, I suspect, every religious type, supporting us.”
In a statement, the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church said Mr Albanese’s comments had fuelled “harassment” of its members – including, it said, by Labor MP Andrew Charlton.
Mr Charlton was filmed asking a Liberal campaigner if they were a member of the “exclusive brethren” at a pre-poll booth, in footage aired by Sky News. SEE VIDEO ABOVE
A church spokesman said members had asked “what to do” if confronted by “ALP volunteers or left-wing journalists”.
“We issued some advice that said they don’t have to comment to media if they don’t want to, or could make the point that their religion has nothing to do their political interests,” the spokesman said.
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.
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 “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.
Earlier 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”.
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