Michelle Rowland says National Anti-Corruption commissioner Paul Brereton’s resignation chance for a 'reset'

The early departure of the federal corruption watchdog’s head provides an opportunity for a fresh start for the agency, the attorney-general says.

National Anti-Corruption commissioner Paul Brereton resigned on Monday three years into his five-year term.

The resignation followed numerous complaints into his ties to the military and his decision not to investigate referrals from the robodebt royal commission, which was later overturned.

Mr Brereton, who will end his time in the role in July, rejected suggestions he should have been more transparent about his defence ties, but conceded they had become a distraction.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the resignation would be a chance for the corruption watchdog to start anew.

“This does give us an opportunity with these new appointments to have a reset, and I will be engaging across the parliament to make sure that that happens,” she told ABC Radio on Friday.

“This is not only an important integrity body, but it also needs to have public support in terms of perception as well as in practice.”

Ms Rowland defended the appointment of Mr Brereton as the commission’s first head, saying he was well qualified for the role.

“We need to appreciate that the circumstances of that appointment were undertaken completely in line with a merits-based process, including going through the appropriate oversight body,” she said.

“There is no question that all of that was done in accordance with the merit-based process at the time, and it was also a unanimous decision of that committee as well.”

Appearing before a federal budget inquiry on Tuesday, Mr Brereton said questions about his work with the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force - one of the agencies the National Anti-Corruption Commission had the power to investigate - had made it hard for the commission to get clear air.

“The press attention is focused on me and my interests,” he told the inquiry.

“I was transparent about having an ongoing affiliation with the IGADF, and that I would not be involved (in defence investigations).”

Mr Brereton stepped away from all defence-related corruption referrals in 2025 to avoid any perceived conflict of interest, after revelations he was continuing to work with the IGADF as a consultant.

Ms Rowland said the reset for the commission could involve changes to how the body operates to ensure public confidence in the agency was not eroded.

“I am working as attorney-general with the oversight committee of the parliament to look at ways in which the operation of the NACC can be more efficient and effective,” she said.