The joint standing committee on electoral matters tabled its interim report concerning the 2025 Australian federal election on Tuesday afternoon. The report included 14 recommendations, including new laws to regulate conduct at polling booths and a review of the threshold for entities to be considered third parties under federal electoral laws.

The interim report proposed a mandatory code of conduct for all participants at polling places, enforced in designated campaign zones where the number of campaigners and signage would be restricted. It also called for a broader review of electoral laws to protect the voting process from domestic interference.

Jerome Laxale, the Labor MP who chairs the committee, said in a speech to parliament that the recommendations respond directly to accounts of overwhelming, unsafe and intimidatory experiences at polling places during the 2025 federal election in targeted electorates. He said events at the election "felt like an assault on our democracy, especially in targeted seats." Laxale said, "Many described this assault by third parties, identified in submissions like the Plymouth Brethren and Advance, as a fundamental disruption to the foundations of our free and fair voting process." He added, "This parliament cannot ignore this evidence." Laxale also said, "In an electoral system where it is compulsory for adults to participate, every effort must be made to ensure that the electoral process is safe, fair and inviting for all involved." He stated, "In the face of evidence received to date, a strong argument can be made that any behaviour designed to dissuade participation in the electoral process, could be considered domestic interference."

The committee announced it would seek to compel witnesses from Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and Advance to attend public hearings after they declined invitations to appear in November 2025, March, and May. The committee stated it would issue summons if invitations continued to be refused. Lloyd Grimshaw, director of Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, wrote to the committee to advise he was prepared to give evidence. A spokesperson for the church said the group wanted to appear before the committee to "confirm as directly and plainly that the church did not support, coordinate or otherwise participate in the 2025 election." The spokesperson said the church offered to give evidence on Tuesday morning, marking the fifth such offer. Regarding Laxale's remarks, the spokesperson said, "It is for the committee chair [Laxale] to talk to his remarks to parliament."

The Coalition dismissed the findings of the inquiry. Liberal senator Jess Collins said at a party room meeting, "The way that they have been treated by Labor for exercising their right to participate in our political process is a stain on our democracy." The Coalition accused Labor of turning the election inquiry into a hyper-partisan witch-hunt against members of the church. A spokesperson for Advance said, "We won't be listening to his lectures about who is and isn't allowed to participate in elections in this country." The joint standing committee on electoral matters plans to table its final report in November.