Paul Brereton has resigned as chief commissioner of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), effective July 6, citing that public focus on him personally was distracting from the organisation's work. Brereton, who became the inaugural commissioner in 2023, was found in 2024 to have engaged in officer misconduct for failing to properly handle a declared conflict of interest related to the Robodebt royal commission referrals.
An inquiry by the NACC inspector found that Brereton did not remove himself from decisions not to investigate referrals from the Robodebt royal commission, despite declaring a close association with one of the referred individuals. The misconduct was deemed not unlawful but arising from a mistake of law or fact. Brereton denied any wrongdoing in his resignation statement.
Brereton also faced pressure over his defence connections, including revelations he was granted special permission to remain in the army reserves beyond retirement age to support the Afghanistan war crimes inquiry. He previously stepped away from defence-related corruption referrals to manage perceived conflicts of interest.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland thanked Brereton for his leadership, noting his service as a judge and in the Australian Defence Force. Greens Senator David Shoebridge said Brereton's resignation was the right outcome, criticising his handling of conflicts of interest and damage to public trust. Brereton's resignation came on the day he was expected to appear before Senate estimates hearings.
