Nacc chief Paul Brereton resigns saying criticism of him ‘drawing attention away’ from agency’s mission

Brereton says ‘ongoing focus on matters relating to me personally’ is undermining ‘commission’s core purpose of strengthening integrity’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast 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 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