Nacc chief Paul Brereton resigns as head of anti-corruption body

Paul Brereton, Australia’s first national anti-corruption commissioner, will step down from the top job in July, citing criticism of potential conflicts of interest as “drawing attention away” from the body’s core purpose. In a statement on Monday afternoon, Brereton said the “ongoing focus on matters relating to me personally” were “drawing attention away from the commission’s core purpose of strengthening integrity”. “I believe that the commission’s success is paramount, and not due to any single person,” Brereton said. “While I will continue to resist any suggestion of impropriety, I have decided that it is time, now that the commission is established and functioning with quality staff and good processes, to step aside and allow a new commissioner to lead it into the next phase of its development into a key and respected component of the integrity architecture of the commonwealth.” Brereton has been in the role since July 2023, and final day will be on 6 July. The Nacc is expected to appear before a Senate estimates hearing on Tuesday evening. Brereton has attracted criticism for doing consulting work for his previous employer – the inspector-general of the Australian defence force (IGADF) – while serving as the Nacc’s commissioner. The work related to his former position leading an inquiry into alleged war crimes involving Australian troops in Afghanistan. …