NACC boss Paul Brereton admits he contributed to own 'downfall'

Outgoing NACC commissioner Paul Brereton has faced questions about his resignation. (ABC News: Luke Stephenson) National Anti-Corruption Commission boss Paul Brereton has admitted that focus on his conduct has distracted from the watchdog's work. It is the first time Mr Brereton has faced questions since it was confirmed there is a second "officer misconduct" investigation underway. The corruption watchdog inspector, Gail Furness, will appear before Senate estimates this evening. Link copiedShareShare articleThe outgoing National Anti-Corruption Commissioner, during a grilling at a Senate inquiry today, has said he contributed to his own downfall. Paul Brereton admitted to becoming a distraction for the watchdog during questions about his shock resignation on Monday, two years before his term was set to finish. The watchdog's inaugural commissioner has faced ongoing scrutiny over his defence links and handling of conflicts of interests, with Mr Brereton stating the focus had drawn "attention away" from the agency's work. "I have become a distraction," Mr Brereton said. "The press attention is focused on me and my interests. That is, the need [for the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) chief executive] to defend that has become a distraction, and that is basically why I have decided that it is in the interests of the organisation that I remove that distraction. "I think everyone contributes to their own downfall, if you like, in some ways and I am sure I have contributed," he added. The body responsible for holding the federal integrity watchdog to account will formally investigate it for agency maladministration and its chief, Paul Brereton, for officer misconduct Mr Brereton had continued to provide advice to government agencies in relation to the Afghanistan war crimes inquiry during his time as NACC commissioner, including consulting for the inspector-general of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF) on 11 occasions. On Tuesday evening, he said he had disclosed his ongoing affiliations with the IGADF, which consisted of "30 hours in three years" but did not see the need to disclose the "precise nature" of what he was doing. Greens senator David Shoebridge said this highlighted the central issue. "The problem you had about not being transparent, about not recognising the need to be transparent. Particularly when you're performing work for the defence establishment, when a significant customer of the NACC, that you're leading, is defence," he said. Greens senator David Shoebridge questioned the motivations behind Mr Brereton's sudden resignation. (ABC News: Matt Roberts) In February, ABC revealed that complaints over Mr Brereton's defence ties triggered NACC inspector Gail Furness to launch a second investigation into potential officer misconduct. The Senate committee heard Mr Brereton was provided with a copy of the inspector's draft report on March 19, and was invited to provide submissions in response, which were done via external lawyers who were paid $204,000. It followed Mr Brereton stepping away from all defence-related corruption referrals last year, due to concerns over the impact his defence connections could have on investigations. Mr Brereton revealed that the pressure from press inquiries and articles concerning his ongoing defence associations was the catalyst for his reflection, ultimately leading to his early resignation. The head of the NACC will step away from all defence-related corruption referrals following questions over his handling of perceived conflicts of interest. The commissioner said he had not considered stepping aside when he was found to have engaged in "officer misconduct" in 2024, as he believed it would have undermined the independence of the commission. The 2024 finding was the result of the commissioner's failure to adequately manage a declared conflict of interest issue linked to a Robodebt referral. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said a new commissioner would be chosen through a merit-based process, with Mr Brereton's final day set for July 6. Ms Furness is also scheduled to face Senate estimates later this evening. Copy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesMore ISIS-linked women and children land in Melbourne and SydneyTopic:Unrest, Conflict and War

NACC boss Paul Brereton admits he contributed to own 'downfall'

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NACC boss Paul Brereton admits he contributed to own 'downfall'

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