6 days Ago By Matthew Kelly
The Liberal Party says it does not know if Exclusive Brethren members are working among its army of volunteers in the Hunter. Login or signup to continue reading In unprecedented scenes, thousands of young Liberal volunteers have been working booths in support of Laurence Antcliff in Paterson and Emma King in Shortland in recent weeks. Liberal volunteers were last week recorded at Belmont telling voters to "make Australia great again", a reference to Donald Trump's election campaign slogan.
It was reported on Tuesday that the thousands of Exclusive Brethren voters have descended on key marginal seats across the country in an effort to support the Coalition. The group's 15,000 Australian members generally do not vote, however, its website also states: "individual members may take an interest in politics". In a statement, a Plymouth Brethren Christian Church spokesman said that the church had not organised or co-ordinated any volunteer efforts of any type.
"The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is not involved in these kinds of political activities," the statement said. However, it acknowledged many members of the church had decided to volunteer for candidates across the political spectrum. "Some members exercise the right to not vote on religious grounds, but others choose to both vote and actively engage in politics", the statement said.
One ex-member, Ben Woodbury, took to social media to identify Liberal volunteers whom he believed were members of the group. A Liberal Party spokesman said, like other political parties, it did not ask its volunteers about their religious affiliations. "The Liberal Party has no agreement whatsoever with any religious organisation," he said.
"We have never asked volunteers or members what their religious beliefs are, nor do we ever intend to." Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said on Tuesday that the party did not recruit individuals from particular religions - people simply volunteered. "We're a volunteer-based organisation.
People can volunteer and provide support to their local Liberal National Party candidate. I'd encourage them to do that," he said. "The prime minister says he hates Tories and Tory supporters, etc.
That's an issue for him. We're not discriminating against anybody on the basis of their religion." Former Shortland MP and Labor stalwart Jill Hall said she had never seen anything like the scenes she had witnessed for this week in her 50 years of campaigning.
"Groups of aggressive Liberal Party workers, particularly young men, intimidating volunteers and making offensive comments to voters," she said. "Blocking and grabbing voters on their way into the pre-poll. Pushing Trumpian slogans and even making sexist remarks about Ms King.
" Ms Hall said a number of voters had complained to her that they felt intimidated by Liberal volunteers who had flown into the area. "Emma King and Peter Dutton need to tell the voters of Shortland why they condone this behaviour and why they think it is appropriate to campaign in this manner," she said. Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years.
He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education. He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues.
Matthew Kelly has worked as a journalist for more than 25 years. He has been working as a general reporter at the Newcastle Herald since 2018. In recent years he has reported on subjects including environment, energy, water security, manufacturing and higher education.
He has previously covered issues including the health and environmental impacts of uncovered coal wagons in the Hunter Valley, the pollution of legacy of former industrial sites and freedom of information issues. Daily Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update.
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