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The head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, Commissioner Paul Brereton, is currently under scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest due to his ongoing ties with the Australian Defence Force. Brereton, an army reserve major general, has maintained consulting roles with the Defence Force's watchdog even after leading a significant review into allegations against Australian special forces soldiers accused of war crimes in Afghanistan. This connection has raised eyebrows and prompted a closer look into whether his dual roles could compromise the impartiality of the anti-corruption body.
Gail Furness, the inspector overseeing the National Anti-Corruption Commission, disclosed in an annual report tabled in parliament that she received four complaints related to Brereton's possible conflicts of interest stemming from his Defence engagement. Out of these, one complaint was resolved, another dismissed, while two are still under investigation. Furness has previously found Brereton guilty of officer misconduct, defined as an act which, although not illegal, was a mistake of law or fact.
The report also revealed a rise in complaints against the watchdog itself, with 75 grievances lodged in 2024/25 compared to just 50 the previous year. A significant portion of these complaints—fifty—were about decisions not to investigate certain referrals. Amid growing concerns, the commission announced in its October monthly report that Brereton would recuse himself from all defence-related matters, expanding beyond just those involving units or personnel he had direct connections with.
The commission emphasized that even severing these connections wouldn’t eliminate potential conflicts due to historic relationships Brereton holds. Defence referrals make up only about three percent of total cases, which the commission believes can be managed by its three deputy commissioners. However, media coverage around Brereton’s situation has become a distraction, prompting more definitive steps to ensure the commission’s work remains credible and unimpeded.
Independent senator David Pocock has publicly called on Brereton to step aside entirely, arguing that doing so is necessary to restore public trust in the anti-corruption watchdog. Meanwhile, the commission is actively pursuing a large workload, with 38 corruption investigations underway, 32 preliminary probes, 11 joint investigations with other bodies, and three cases currently before the courts as of early November.
This ongoing situation highlights the delicate balance between maintaining expertise within anti-corruption bodies and avoiding conflicts that might undermine public confidence. Brereton’s extensive background with the Defence Force provides critical insight but also poses risks that the commission is trying to manage carefully. The evolving approach to conflict management and transparency will likely shape public perception of the commission’s independence moving forward.
