STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr GEE (Calare) (16:03): One of the notable aspects of the 2025 election was the appalling behaviour that I witnessed on polling booths, and right at the centre of this were members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, with the full knowledge and support of the National Party. This behaviour included the following of candidates from booth to booth in large numbers and the attempted intimidation of candidates and booth workers while on booths.

People should not feel intimidated or threatened when they go to vote or support a political candidate. I believe that what happened on the polling booths in Calare was deliberate and highly organised. It represents a threat to our democratic processes.

It was also in direct contradiction of the Christian values this organisation purports to espouse. The Plymouth Brethren and connected entities receive generous tax exemptions from the Australian government. If this organisation wants to continue to act as an arm of the National and Liberal parties, or indeed any other party, it should lose its charitable status.

It can't have it both ways. What we saw on the booths during the 2020 election must never be allowed to happen again.