Committee flags summonses if Bruce and Gareth Hales refuse to attend

The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters will hold another public hearing in October with members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church as part of its inquiry into the 2025 election.

On 16 September 2026, the committee resolved to invite Mr Bruce Hales and Mr Gareth Hales to appear at a public hearing. It also resolved to issue a summons to compel their attendance if they refuse to come voluntarily.

Both men are known to the committee as the most senior members of the organisation in Australia. As a result, the committee says their evidence is needed for it to report accurately on the 2025 election.

October’s hearing will also include invitations to the authors of submissions 312, 332 and 333. Mr Lester Sharples, who was named in recent media reporting, will also be invited.

Committee cites reports of paid agitators

The committee said recent media reports about PBCC members paying “known agitators and Nazi-associates to disrupt our democracy” were deeply disturbing.

It also said any interference of that kind needed to be investigated and condemned by all sides of politics.

In a separate statement, the committee said: “Our democracy is more important than the outcome of any one election.”

Committee members also made clear why they want Bruce and Gareth Hales at the hearing. “For the Committee to accurately report on the 2025 election, they need to show up and fess up,” the committee said.

Meanwhile, the program for the hearing will be published on the committee’s public hearings webpage closer to the date. Parliament did not announce the exact October hearing date on 16 September 2026.

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Further details on the 2025 election inquiry are available through the committee’s webpage.