NACC Inspector Furness states the obvious while Brereton obfuscates
Today’s meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee reviewing the performance of the NACC made it clear that Commissioner Paul Brereton does not understand this. What is fraud?
The fraud is Brereton’s refusal to acknowledge that conflicts of interest are real; NACC Superintendent Gail Furness, however, made the obvious point: If there is a perception of conflict, “Just don’t get involved.”
Furness’s sentiments were echoed by the NACC deputy commissioners present and the reserved (albeit reluctant) NACC CEO Philip Reed. All agreed that Brereton’s long involvement and ongoing consultancy work for the Inspector General of the Australian Defense Force (IGADF) was problematic and that he should recuse himself from matters involving the military.
He did this reluctantly, but Brereton seems to think it was unnecessary and, moreover, he told “everyone”. “I don’t know who you told it to,” Furness, who is extremely calm and correct, said earlier. In a harsh exchange with Senator David Shoebridge, Brererton said, “Who benefits from my not being involved in this?” He tried to reverse the perception by asking: When pressed further on the matter by Shoebridge, Brereton hypothesized: “(The only person who would benefit from my non-involvement)
Those who do not want my recommendations to be implemented,
He is likely referring to the report on war crimes in Afghanistan known as the “Brereton Report”.
Even Shoebridge, normally at a loss for words, allowed the self-inflicted wound to heal.
“Enough is enough”. Why did Brereton have to resign from the NACC?
Kim Wingerei is a businessman turned author and commentator. He is passionate about freedom of expression, human rights, democracy and the politics of change. Originally from Norway, Kim has lived in Australia for 30 years. Author of ‘Why Democracy is Broken – A Blueprint for Change’.
