Corruption watchdog resignation chance for a ‘reset’
The attorney general says the early departure of the head of the federal corruption watchdog gives the agency an opportunity for a fresh start.
National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Paul Brereton resigned on Monday, three years into his five-year term.
The resignation followed numerous complaints about his ties to the military and a decision not to investigate referrals from the robodebt royal commission, which was later overturned.
Mr Brereton, who will leave office in July, rejected suggestions he should be more transparent about defense relationships but conceded they had become a distraction.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the resignation would be a chance for the corruption watchdog to start over.
“This gives us the opportunity to hit the ground running on new appointments and I will be engaging across parliament to make sure that happens,” he told ABC Radio on Friday.
“Not only is this an important integrity institution, it also needs public support in both perception and practice.”
Ms Rowland defended Mr Brereton’s appointment as the commission’s first chair, saying he was well qualified for the role.
“We need to appreciate that the terms of this appointment were made in accordance with a purely merit-based process, including going through the appropriate oversight body,” he said.
“There is no doubt that all of this was done in accordance with the merit-based process at the time, and it was a unanimous decision of the committee.”
Appearing before the federal budget inquiry on Tuesday, Mr Brereton said questions about his work with the Inspector General of the Australian Defense Force, one of the agencies the National Anti-Corruption Commission has authority to investigate, were making it difficult for the commission to get some fresh air.
“The media attention is focused on me and my interests,” he told the inquiry.
“I have been transparent that I have an ongoing relationship with the IGADF and will not be involved (in defense investigations).”
Mr Brereton withdrew from all defense-related corruption referrals in 2025 to avoid any perceived conflict of interest after it was revealed that he continued to work as a consultant with the IGADF.
Ms Rowland said resetting the commission could involve changes to the way it operates to ensure public confidence in the institution is not eroded.
“I work as attorney general on the parliamentary oversight committee to look at how the operation of the NACC can be more efficient and effective,” he said.
