In brief
- The head of Australia’s anti-corruption body has resigned.
- Paul Brereton will face questions at a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday.
The chief of Australia’s anti-corruption agency has stepped down two years ahead of schedule, amid persistent concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
Paul Brereton, the National Anti-Corruption Commissioner (NACC), stated that ongoing attention to his personal affairs was detracting from the agency’s mission.
Brereton, who previously investigated war crimes, faced continuous scrutiny over possible conflicts due to his military connections and role in the army reserves.
“The commission’s success is of utmost importance and should not be attributed to any individual,” Brereton remarked on Monday.
“Despite my ongoing denial of any misconduct, I’ve concluded that now is the appropriate time to step down. The commission is now established with capable staff and effective procedures, and it’s time for another leader to guide it into its next phase as a vital and esteemed part of the Commonwealth’s integrity framework.”
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In October 2025, he stepped away from all corruption referrals related to defence to avoid any perceived conflict of interest.
He has also been criticised for his decision not to investigate referrals related to the robodebt scandal, which was later overturned.
Brereton’s resignation will take effect on 6 July, just over three years after he was appointed to a five-year term.
He’s scheduled to face questions at a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday.
In his statement, Brereton said the mere existence of the National Anti-Corruption Commission had changed behaviour across the federal public service.
That had been reinforced by education programs and investigations, he said.
Of the 7,264 referrals received in the past three years, more than 92 per cent had been finalised, with 34 investigations underway.
Some of those probes were into current or former politicians and their staff, senior public servants, contractors, consultants and a grants scheme, Brereton said.
The government would choose a new commissioner through a merit-based process, Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said.
“I thank commissioner Brereton for his service as commissioner of the National Anti-Corruption Commission following his appointment in 2023,” she said on Monday.
“Commissioner Brereton has made an invaluable contribution to the establishment of the NACC as its inaugural commissioner.”
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