Bruce and Gareth Hales Will Appear Before Committee
The parliamentary hearing into third-party election campaigning is set for 16 October 2026.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Elections
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Bruce Hales and Gareth Hales will provide evidence to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on 16 October 2026. The committee is investigating the Exclusive Brethren and their potential role as a significant third-party campaigner.
Why it matters
The probe examines undisclosed election campaign activities linked to the church. The proceedings have drawn international attention, with groups suggesting the summons constitutes an attack on faith-based organisations.
The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is evaluating whether the Exclusive Brethren should be classified as a significant third-party campaigner. The scope of this probe includes scrutinising the church's past election campaign activities.
The players
Bruce Hales
He is a leader within the Exclusive Brethren who has been called to provide evidence regarding the church's campaign activities.
Gareth Hales
He is an executive at Sante Global and is scheduled to appear alongside Bruce Hales at the parliamentary hearing.
Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters
This parliamentary body is tasked with investigating campaign conduct and the role of third-party organisations in elections.
Turning Point USA
This organisation has publicly supported the church and urged the Trump government to lobby Australian officials regarding the hearing.
Freedom for Faith
This group has provided public support to Bruce Hales throughout the course of the committee's inquiry.
The details
The inquiry follows claims that Sante Global organised meetings between church members and far-right figures, though Bruce Hales has denied personal involvement in the church's election campaign. The Coalition has described the committee's work as a witch hunt, while advocacy groups like Freedom for Faith and Turning Point USA have expressed public support for the church.
Timeline
Bruce Hales was last held to account by authority during the early 1990s.
Bruce Hales preached regarding the hatred of the world in 2006.
Bruce and Gareth Hales testify before the committee on 16 October 2026.
Political Context
Opponents of the inquiry argue that the committee's focus represents an ideological overreach into the activities of religious organisations. Dissenting voices, including members of the Coalition, have labelled the proceedings a witch hunt that threatens the rights of people of faith.
The outcome of this committee probe could result in stricter financial disclosure requirements for religious organisations involved in political advocacy. This may lead to greater transparency in how third-party groups influence federal election outcomes.
The takeaway
This hearing highlights the complex intersection between religious institutional autonomy and national election transparency laws. Citizens should monitor the committee report to understand how potential new disclosure requirements might shape future political campaigning.
Further reading
Find more context on current parliamentary inquiries by visiting the Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Brisbane Times.
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