National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Paul Brereton Resigns Amid Ongoing Investigations

Paul Brereton, the inaugural commissioner of Australia’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), has announced his resignation from the post. His departure comes three years into a five-year term, following a period marked by significant scrutiny and ongoing investigations into his conduct.

Reasons Behind the Resignation

In a Senate estimates hearing, Brereton cited the “distraction” caused by two separate investigations into his conduct as the primary driver for his decision to step down. He indicated that the necessity of defending himself, and the resources the NACC had to dedicate to these matters, were not in the best interests of the institution.

Brereton stated that he decided to leave his post because the continued investigations distracted him from the work he intended to perform as commissioner. While acknowledging that he contributed to the current outcome, he maintained that his standards had not fallen below an appropriate level.

Internal Challenges at the NACC

During the Senate hearing, Brereton expressed concerns regarding the internal culture of the agency he led. He noted that staff members within the commission have become “terrified of making any mistake of fact or law” due to the fear of being subjected to findings of officer misconduct.

This atmosphere of apprehension coincides with ongoing oversight activity. Gail Furness, the NACC inspector responsible for overseeing complaints regarding the commission’s conduct, confirmed that she is conducting a second investigation into the commissioner. The first investigation concerns Brereton’s consulting work for his previous employer—the inspector general of the Australian defence force (IGADF)—which he performed while serving as NACC commissioner. Brereton had previously described this work in a letter to the attorney general as “ongoing, highly modest informal assistance.”

Context of Previous Controversies

The NACC has faced notable criticism since its inception, particularly regarding its handling of referrals from the robodebt royal commission. In 2024, the commission initially decided against investigating six individuals referred by the royal commission. This decision was later reversed.

Inspector Gail Furness subsequently found that the initial decision-making process was “affected by apprehended bias,” noting that Brereton had not recused himself despite declaring a perceived conflict of interest regarding one of the individuals involved. However, the report clarified that there was “no finding of intentional wrongdoing or other impropriety.” A subsequent NACC report released in 2026 concluded that two of the public servants referred by the royal commission had engaged in serious corrupt conduct.

Leadership Transition

The departure of the commissioner follows other changes in the NACC’s leadership. Nicole Rose, the deputy commissioner, previously announced her resignation, with her tenure concluding in July. Philip Reed, the NACC’s chief executive, publicly defended Brereton during the hearing, expressing the view that the commissioner had been treated poorly by parliamentarians and various commentators.

As the NACC moves forward, the ongoing investigations led by the inspector are expected to continue despite the change in leadership. The commission remains under significant public and parliamentary focus as it navigates this transition period.

Key Takeaways

• Resignation: Paul Brereton has resigned as the inaugural head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission three years into his five-year term.
• Investigations: Two ongoing investigations into the commissioner’s conduct, overseen by the NACC inspector, remain active.
• Cultural Concerns: Brereton stated that internal staff members are increasingly concerned about potential findings of misconduct, affecting the commission’s operational environment.
• Past Oversight: The commission previously faced scrutiny regarding a 2024 decision not to investigate referrals from the robodebt royal commission, which was later found to have been affected by apprehended bias.