Press Coverage

The Liberal Party's post-election review largely omits the Brethren's extensive campaigning operation despite widespread scrutiny of their involvement in the 2025 federal election.

The Rapid Relief Team has filed a copyright lawsuit in a US federal court against Canadian ex-member Cheryl Bawtinheimer, who used the RRT's kookaburra mascot in her Get a Life podcast. Bawtinheimer alleges the legal action is retaliation for her abuse advocacy.

The PBCC's PR campaign to counter Prime Minister Albanese's description of the church as the "Exclusive Brethren" is examined, with insiders questioning its effectiveness amid ongoing political and media scrutiny.

Leaked recordings from the Brethren's global Strive 26 Zoom conference reveal leadership seeking a $261 million AUD "one number" donation, introducing Streamline3 spyware on members' phones, and centralising control of gospel hall properties worldwide.

An Australian journalist is granted rare access to PBCC church halls, homes and businesses including interviews with sons of leader Bruce Hales — Dean and Charles Hales — in an attempt to counter years of negative coverage.

UBT, the PBCC's central business advisory organisation, makes a voluntary disclosure to the Australian Tax Office covering income and fringe benefits tax issues spanning 2021 to 2024, confirming a payment of several million dollars to resolve the matters.

ABC's flagship investigative programme hears from former PBCC members alleging threats, intimidation and systematic pressure to remain silent after leaving the church, as part of a major three-part investigation.

Former PBCC members allege child sexual abuse within the church and describe the use of non-disclosure agreements to suppress victims. Part two of the ABC Four Corners investigation.

The opening episode of the Four Corners investigation examines the close relationship between the PBCC and the Liberal Party, focusing on former Health Minister Greg Hunt and the church's decades-long political lobbying operation in Australia.

Pre-poll delays and community concerns about Plymouth Brethren involvement in the Bonner electorate during the 2025 Australian federal election, with local residents raising questions about organised campaigning activity.

An investigation into the large-scale deployment of Brethren volunteers in the marginal seat of Eden-Monaro during the 2025 Australian federal election, raising questions about the church's political involvement despite its traditional stance against voting.

The PBCC has lodged a development application for a $2.9 million meeting room facility on the outskirts of Tamworth, NSW, as the church continues its meeting room construction programme across Australia.

The Planning Inspectorate upholds a council refusal for a Brethren gospel hall in Teesside, dismissing the church's appeal eleven months after the original decision — the latest in a series of contested planning applications across the UK.

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church has submitted a planning application for a new meeting room in Leziate, Norfolk, part of an ongoing programme of meeting room construction across rural and suburban England.

The PBCC has applied for planning permission to build a new meeting hall in Leeds, continuing a pattern of community expansion and meeting room construction across Yorkshire and the wider north of England.

The PBCC has applied for planning permission to demolish an existing agricultural barn and replace it with a purpose-built meeting hall, one of several planning applications submitted by the church across Somerset.

A planning application has been submitted in the Stoke-on-Trent area to convert an existing barn into a place of worship for the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, reflecting the community's preference for repurposing existing rural buildings.

Plans to convert a former Plymouth Brethren gospel hall in Bedford into a car storage facility have been delayed, highlighting the ongoing question of what happens to Brethren meeting rooms when communities relocate or consolidate.