NACC Commissioner Paul Brereton has resigned, effective 6 July 2026. Photo: ADF.
Paul Brereton has resigned as head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) following a number of controversies and inquiries into his role as Commissioner of the corruption watchdog.
The Commissioner rejects any wrongdoing but agrees it is time to give the Commission some clear air without public attention being focused on him.
“While I will continue to resist any suggestion of impropriety, I have decided that it is time, now that the Commission is established and functioning with quality staff and good processes, to step aside and allow a new Commissioner to lead it into the next phase of its development into a key and respected component of the integrity architecture of the Commonwealth,” he said in a statement.
Mr Brereton tendered his resignation on Monday (25 May), effective 6 July this year.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the Federal Government thanked Commissioner Brereton for his leadership, service and contributions to the NACC, particularly as its inaugural Commissioner.
“I thank Commissioner Brereton for his service as Commissioner of the National Anti-Corruption Commission following his appointment in 2023,” she said.
“Commissioner Brereton has made an invaluable contribution to the establishment of the NACC as its inaugural Commissioner.”
A merit-based process will commence to appoint a new Commissioner of the NACC.
Commissioner Brereton has served as the Assistant Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force, as a Judge of the NSW Court of Appeal, and as a Major General in the Australian Defence Force Reserves.
The NACC became instantly controversial in June 2024 when it announced it would not investigate any of the six individuals referred to it by the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme.
That decision led the Commission itself to be investigated by NACC Inspector Gail Furness, who found Mr Brereton’s behaviour to have constituted “officer misconduct” in relation to his involvement in deliberations about one of the six whom he knew personally.
Ms Furness has also been investigating Mr Brereton for potential conflicts of interest in continuing to consult for the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force while serving as NACC Commissioner.
The NACC issued a lengthy statement announcing the resignation on Monday, including extensive quotes from the Commissioner outlining the Commission’s achievements.
“The Commission was established to provide independent assurance to the Australian people that corrupt conduct in the Commonwealth public sector is appropriately addressed,” he said
“Over the last three years, much progress has been made in pursuit of our mission of enhancing integrity in the Commonwealth public sector.
“While our mere existence has influenced and shaped behaviour for the better, that has been powerfully reinforced by our extensive education and engagement program, which has enhanced the integrity culture across the sector.
“We have completed assessment of more than 92 per cent of the 7624 referrals received over the last three years.
“We have published 7 investigation reports. Our investigations have exposed corrupt conduct in law enforcement agencies, Commonwealth departments and government business enterprises, including cronyism in a recruitment process, a secret commission in a procurement processes, dishonesty in senior executive decision-making, and the leaking of sensitive information about law enforcement investigations to criminal associates.
“Much more is underway. Our 34 current investigations cover former or current parliamentarians and staff, senior executives in the public service, contractors and consultants, and a grants scheme.
“Fair and thorough investigations take time, and the outcomes of these and other investigations will emerge in due course, though it is important to remember that many will not result in findings of corrupt conduct.
“From the outset, we have been committed to fairness, and that approach is well embedded in the Commission’s operations.”
Mr Brereton expressed his “deep appreciation” for the support and contributions of the NACC’s deputy commissioners, the chief executive officer, and the “committed and diligent” staff of the Commission.
He said they all work tirelessly in the interests of the Australian people.
“The ongoing focus on matters relating to me personally rather than the Commission’s work is drawing attention away from the Commission’s core purpose of strengthening integrity in the Commonwealth public sector, which has always been my primary focus as Commissioner,” he said.
“I believe that the Commission’s success is paramount, and not due to any single person.”
ACT independent Senator David Pocock, who has long called for the Commissioner to step down, welcomed the resignation.
“I hope the Albanese Government takes this moment to reform key aspects of the NACC’s operation, including making it easier to hold public hearings,” Senator Pocock said.
“We need the next Commissioner to help restore confidence in the organisation and for it to better fulfil the vision we had for it as a beacon of integrity.”
Greens Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge also welcomed the news, and noted the Commissioner quit a day before he was due to appear in Senate Estimates.
“Paul Brereton’s resignation is the right outcome for the NACC and is a step towards rebuilding trust in the Commission,” Senator Showbridge said.
“It is striking that he chose to resign today, the day before his first planned appearance at Senate Estimates, which was only scheduled following a successful Greens motion in the Senate last sitting week.”
Original Article published by Chris Johnson on Region Canberra.
