NACC Commissioner Paul Brereton resigns amid conflicts of interest and public trust issues
Consensus Summary
Paul Brereton, Australia’s inaugural National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) commissioner, resigned on May 25, 2026, two years before his five-year term ended, citing ongoing scrutiny over his conduct as a distraction from the commission’s work. His resignation follows a finding of 'officer misconduct' in 2024 for failing to properly recuse himself from the Robodebt royal commission referrals, where he had a conflict of interest with a referred individual, Kathryn Campbell, his Army Reserve colleague. Brereton also faced criticism for his ongoing ties to the Australian Defence Force and the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF), including consulting work while serving as NACC commissioner. The NACC inspector, Gail Furness, is conducting a second investigation into his conduct, with Brereton receiving a draft report in March 2026. The commission has been plagued by slow progress, lack of transparency, and public trust issues, with critics like Greens senator David Shoebridge and independent senator David Pocock calling for a 'reset' and greater transparency in its operations. The NACC has assessed 92% of its 7,624 referrals since 2023, with 34 ongoing investigations, but has faced criticism for its slow pace and lack of public hearings. The appointment of Brereton’s successor will follow a merit-based process, though concerns remain about the transparency and independence of the selection process. The NACC’s parliamentary oversight committee has urged improvements in communication, reducing backlogs, and building public trust.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Paul Brereton resigned as NACC commissioner on May 25, 2026, effective July 6, 2026, two years before his five-year term ended.
- Brereton was found to have engaged in 'officer misconduct' in 2024 for failing to adequately recuse himself from the Robodebt royal commission referrals, involving a conflict of interest with Kathryn Campbell, a former senior public servant and his Army Reserve colleague.
- The NACC inspector, Gail Furness, is conducting a second investigation into Brereton’s conduct, with the first related to his consulting work for the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF) while serving as NACC commissioner.
- Brereton received a draft report of the second investigation into his conduct in March 2026, but the details remain undisclosed.
- The NACC has received 7,624 referrals since its establishment in July 2023, with 92% assessed and 34 investigations ongoing involving former/current MPs, senior public servants, contractors, and a federal grants scheme.
- The NACC’s parliamentary oversight committee, chaired by Labor with independent Helen Haines as deputy chair, has called for a 'reset' of the commission, citing slow progress, lack of transparency, and public trust issues.
- Brereton’s resignation follows criticism over his handling of conflicts of interest, including his ongoing ties to the Australian Defence Force and the IGADF’s Afghanistan war crimes inquiry.
- The NACC has not held a single public hearing since its inception, despite legislation allowing for them in 'exceptional circumstances'.
- Greens senator David Shoebridge and independent senator David Pocock have repeatedly called for Brereton’s resignation and a statutory review of the NACC’s operations.
- The appointment of the next NACC commissioner will follow a merit-based process, including advertising and a selection panel, though concerns remain about transparency and political influence.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Brereton admitted during Senate estimates that he contributed to his own 'downfall' and that the focus on his conduct had become a distraction for the NACC.
- Greens senator Barbara Pocock accused Brereton of belittling citizens' complaints and described his tone as 'haughty' during the Senate estimates hearing.
- The NACC inspector received nearly 1,000 complaints about Brereton in under six months, with 40 attributed to a social media campaign.
- Brereton disclosed his ongoing ties to the ADF involved 30 hours over three years of unremunerated work for the IGADF, mostly outside business hours.
- Deborah Glass, a former integrity agency head, argued that the appointment process for the NACC commissioner lacks independence and transparency, with the current system controlled by the government.
- The Guardian reported that Brereton’s consulting work for the IGADF included 11 occasions of advice on the Afghanistan war crimes inquiry while he was NACC commissioner.
- Greens senator David Shoebridge described Brereton as having an 'inability to accept his own role in his downfall' and criticized his handling of the Robodebt scandal.
- The NACC’s deputy commissioner, Nicole Rose, resigned earlier in May, citing personal reasons, though her departure was seen as part of the broader instability at the commission.
- Brereton stated that he had disclosed his ongoing ties to the ADF to all statutory officers but did not see the need to disclose the 'precise nature' of his work for the IGADF.
- Brereton claimed that 40 of the complaints against him were due to a 'period of two days following a social media campaign'.
- The NACC’s chief executive, Philip Reed, defended Brereton, stating he had been treated 'very poorly' by parliamentarians and commentators.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC and Guardian report that Brereton resigned on May 25, 2026, but News.com.au states he announced his resignation on Monday (May 24, 2026), with his final day set for July 6, 2026.
- The Guardian and ABC report that Brereton was provided a draft report of the second investigation in March 2026, while News.com.au states it was provided 'some weeks ago' before his resignation announcement.
- The ABC and Guardian describe Brereton’s consulting work for the IGADF as 'ongoing, very modest informal assistance' involving 11 occasions, while News.com.au states it involved '24 hours over 29 months' and '30 hours over three years'.
- The Guardian and ABC report that Brereton’s involvement with the Robodebt referrals was in the 'preliminary stages,' while Brereton himself told Senate estimates that his involvement was 'entirely in good faith' but acknowledged it was a mistake to be involved at all.
- The ABC and Guardian report that Brereton’s deputy commissioner, Nicole Rose, resigned in May 2026, but News.com.au does not mention her resignation in its articles.
Source Articles
Labor campaigned on 'integrity' so the NACC should be enjoying public trust by now
In an extraordinary irony, the National Anti-Corruption Commission has become best known for "own goals", rocked by internal scandals and attracting a litany of complaints.
Labor promised to do something serious about corruption. Now they’ve got a second chance
Paul Brereton’s appearance before a Senate inquiry illustrated why public confidence in the national anti-corruption agency is in the toilet – and what now needs to be done Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Things were off to a bad start even before Paul Brereton sat down at the witness table. A judge of the NSW court of appeal, a war crimes investigator and the inaugural boss of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nacc), Brereton is usually the one requiring witn
‘Resist any suggestion’: Embattled anti-corruption tsar resigns
Australia’s anti-corruption commissioner says he resists “any suggestion of impropriety” as he steps aside after more than three years.
NACC boss Paul Brereton admits he contributed to own 'downfall'
The corruption watchdog boss, appearing during a tense grilling at Senate estimates, admits his conduct became a "distraction".
Australia politics live: outgoing Nacc boss says sorry for robodebt inquiry delays; new US ambassador starts in Washington
Australia’s former defence secretary, Greg Moriaty, has begun his term as Australia’s ambassador to the US. Follow today’s news live Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Syrian children should be treated ‘sensitively and gently’, Ryan says Independent MP Monique Ryan says the women and children returning from a Syrian camp should be treated gently, after they arrived in Australia last night. We’re talking about kids who have grown up in a camp in Syria who haven’t been ex
Australia’s anti-corruption staff are ‘terrified’ of making mistakes, says outgoing chief
With a second investigation under way into his conduct, Paul Brereton tells estimates about concerns of workers Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Australia’s federal anti-corruption body is filled with staff “terrified of making any mistake of fact or law”, the outgoing commissioner claims. Paul Brereton, the National Anti-Corruption Commissioner, also defended his actions and decisions as the watchdog’s first head explaining his resignation was due to “distractions”,
Nacc chief Paul Brereton resigns as head of anti-corruption body
Brereton says ‘ongoing focus on matters relating to me personally’ were ‘drawing attention away from the commission’s core purpose’ Paul Brereton, Australia’s first national anti-corruption commissioner, will step down from the top job in July, citing criticism of him as “drawing attention away” from the body’s 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 stre
For Australia’s anti-corruption agency, perception matters. And it starts at the top | Deborah Glass
Leading an integrity agency like the NACC will never win you a popularity contest – but a transparent selection process can help ensure real independence The news that the inaugural Nacc ( National Anti-Corruption Commission ) commissioner, Paul Brereton, has resigned will surprise no one who has been following the unflattering headlines about the Nacc since it began operation three years ago. But who will replace him, and how will they be chosen? How can the public have confidence they will be
‘A distraction’: Corruption watchdog defiant after shock exit
Australia’s outgoing anti-corruption commissioner has struck a defiant tone hours after his shock exit was announced.
NACC chief Brereton to face Senate grilling after shock resignation
National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Paul Brereton will face a grilling by senators at estimates hearings today following his shock resignation on Monday, amid calls for a wider reset of the troubled agency.
NACC boss Paul Brereton resigns amid pressure over misconduct, defence ties
Mr Brereton was found in 2024 to have engaged in officer misconduct in his role as head of the NACC and has since faced pressure over his defence connections.