The hearing was part of the Federal Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters inquiry into the 2025 election, and invited community members to share their experiences of the campaign.
Witnesses told the inquiry it appeared the LNP in Blair recruited large numbers of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, or Exclusive Brethren, from outside the area to campaign for them and Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party (PHON).
They described aggressive, intimidating and offensive behaviour on polling booths, with one female voter describing having to pick up her child and run the gauntlet of LNP young men, who yelled at her to take a how-to-vote card and then hit her on the back with their cards when she refused.
Female voters and Labor volunteers at the Riverlink Pre-Poll booth told the committee they were subjected to lewd, sexist and degrading remarks about their bodies by male LNP and PHON campaigners, were often reduced to tears, and even witnessed a PHON booth worker inappropriately touch a Labor volunteer.
Several voters and volunteers said the sheer numbers of LNP volunteers flooding polling booths and excessive signage made it feel like a “warzone”, with some female volunteers suggesting the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) needed to do a better job of making polling booths safer for booth workers.
The inquiry heard that Exclusive Brethren members surrounded and stood in front of Labor volunteers at polling booths, physically blocking them from handing out how-to-vote cards.
Former Labor State Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan, who appeared at the hearing, said the election was unlike any she had experienced, and that she witnessed many dishonest and offensive election signs targeting Mr Neumann, which were not properly authorised.
Witnesses proposed a range of measures to improve the conduct of future elections, including more education and a Code of Conduct for volunteers, more suitable polling booth locations, better enforcement of election rules by the AEC, and stronger transparency around third parties like the Exclusive Brethren.
On other issues, Professor John Cole and Adjunct Associate Professor John Mickel both argued that rapid population growth in electorates like Blair warranted an increase in the size of the Parliament to ensure better representation.
Mr Neumann said he was pleased to be able to bring the inquiry to Ipswich so that his constituents could have their say.
“It was important to bring this review of the 2025 federal election to Ipswich, to hear from residents about their experiences and how we can get better outcomes for the community,” Mr Neumann said.
“It’s clear that the behaviour of LNP and One Nation campaign volunteers was a very serious issue. Voters, volunteers and officials should never feel intimidated, harassed or have such an experience that they are discouraged from participating at future elections.
“I want to thank everyone who made a submission and appeared before the committee, especially those brave witnesses who shared harrowing experiences. This is valuable evidence that will help us come up with ways to improve our electoral system.”
Further information on the inquiry, including Terms of Reference and information on how to make a submission, can be found on the inquiry webpage at www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Electoral_Matters/2025federalelection
