STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Ms JORDAN-BAIRD (Gorton) (13:44): The electorate of Gorton, which I represent, in Melbourne's western suburbs, is one of the most diverse electorates in this parliament with one of the highest concentrations of first- and second-generation migrants in the country. Our community stitches together people from all backgrounds and of all faiths to create a vibrant and multicultural community.

This is why it was so strange to see one particular religious group dominate our polling booths at the 2025 election. Like several electorates around the country, Gorton saw an astonishing mobilisation of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church at prepoll and election day booths. Reporting from the Age shows that the church had senior leaders in contact with local Liberal candidates and their campaign, but they weren't locals.

According to 2021 census data, there are no members of the Brethren in the seat of Gorton—zero. Explain that mystery. When the Brethren claim that their members organise spontaneously and within their local communities, why on Earth were they on booths in my electorate harassing community members, intimidating them and overwhelming polling booths, making it difficult for the community to come up and actually talk to us before they made a really important decision?

The Liberal Party needs to answer for the Australian public this simple question: what was the deal made between them and this fringe group?