Documentary: Big Brethren

In the streets of suburban Sydney lies the headquarters of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church — a secretive, ultra-wealthy organisation whose $22 billion business empire stretches around the globe.

Critics accuse the religious group, once known as the Exclusive Brethren, of operating like a cult, while its leader Bruce Hales and his family live in luxury, at the centre of a network of thousands of companies worldwide.

This week on Four Corners, former members tell reporter Louise Milligan about the psychological manipulation, surveillance, and threats the church allegedly uses against them, as well as attempts to intimidate them and buy their silence.

Big Brethren charts how companies that support the church have amassed billions and are now under scrutiny from the Australian Taxation Office.

Whistleblowers also reveal the group’s attempts at political penetration, including covert election campaigning, despite members traditionally being discouraged from voting.

Big Brethren, reported by Louise Milligan and produced by Nick Farrow, goes to air on Monday 15 September at 8.30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.

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