Robert McClelland named new head of Australia's anti-corruption commission

Former federal attorney general and judge to replace Paul Brereton, who quit in May after criticism of the commission

By LineZotpaper

Published19 October 2026

Read Time1 min

Sources2 outlets

Robert McClelland, a former Labor attorney general and federal court judge, has been named the new boss of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. Attorney General Michelle Rowland announced the appointment on Monday, along with Christopher Savundra as the commission's new deputy commissioner, following the May resignation of inaugural boss Paul Brereton.

McClelland served as Australia's top law officer in the Rudd government from 2007 to 2011. He has been deputy chief justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia since 2018, after being appointed to the court by the then Coalition government in 2015.

Brereton, the commission's first leader, resigned in May, saying at the time that criticism of him was “drawing attention away” from the body's purpose.

Rowland said McClelland had been chosen through an open, competitive and merit-based selection process.

“I congratulate deputy chief justice McClelland and Mr Savundra on their proposed appointments,” Rowland said. “Deputy Chief Justice McClelland and Mr Savundra's expertise will be an asset to the commission, and I have confidence in their ability to contribute to its important work to enhance integrity across the Commonwealth public sector.”

Analysis

Why This Matters

The National Anti-Corruption Commission is Australia's federal watchdog for serious corruption in the public sector; the appointment sets its leadership direction after an early leadership crisis
McClelland is a former attorney general and sitting judge, bringing unusual depth of experience across government and the bench
The change follows Brereton's resignation in May over criticism he said was distracting from the commission's work

Background

The National Anti-Corruption Commission began operating in 2023 as Australia's first standing federal anti-corruption watchdog, with a mandate to investigate serious or systemic corruption in the Commonwealth public sector. Its first boss, Paul Brereton, left in May, saying criticism directed at him was drawing attention away from the commission's purpose. His successor, Robert McClelland, served as federal attorney general before joining the bench, where he has held senior judicial roles.

Key Perspectives

Attorney General Michelle Rowland: Defended the selection as open, competitive and merit-based and voiced confidence in the new leadership's expertise to strengthen integrity across the public sector. Robert McClelland: As the incoming leader, he brings the outlook of a former top law officer and a serving judge, suggesting continuity in the commission's legal and investigative focus. Paul Brereton: The outgoing commissioner argued that criticism of him had become a distraction, an indication of the political sensitivity surrounding the watchdog's early years.

What to Watch

Formal confirmation of the appointments, which Rowland described as “proposed”
The commission's investigative agenda under its new leadership
How the NACC navigates public scrutiny in the wake of Brereton's departure

Sources

Former Labor attorney general turned judge Robert McClelland named new anti-corruption boss · World news | The Guardian
Former Labor attorney general turned judge Robert McClelland named new anti-corruption boss · Australia news | The Guardian

Checked

9 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedRobert McClelland has been named the new head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (headline and opening).World news | The Guardian: “has been named as the new boss of the National Anti-Corruption Commission”
Partly supportedMcClelland was appointed as the new head 'proposed' in the minister's own words, but the story states the appointment as settled (headline and opening say 'named' and 'has been named').World news | The Guardian: “I congratulate deputy chief justice McClelland and Mr Savundra on their proposed appointments”
Partly supportedBrereton quit in May after criticism of the commission (summary).World news | The Guardian: “Paul Brereton, the first boss of the commission, quit in May, saying criticism of him was “drawing attention away” from the body’s purpose.”
SupportedBrereton resigned in May and said criticism of him was 'drawing attention away' from the commission's purpose.World news | The Guardian: “Paul Brereton, the first boss of the commission, quit in May, saying criticism of him was “drawing attention away” from the body’s purpose.”
SupportedChristopher Savundra has been named the commission's new deputy commissioner.World news | The Guardian: “Christopher Savundra has been named as the Nacc’s new deputy commissioner.”
SupportedThe attorney general, Michelle Rowland, announced the appointment on Monday.World news | The Guardian: “The attorney general, Michelle Rowland, said on Monday McClelland had been chosen through an open, competitive and merit-based selection process.”
SupportedMcClelland was chosen through an open, competitive and merit-based selection process, according to Rowland.World news | The Guardian: “Rowland said McClelland had been chosen through an open, competitive and merit-based selection process.”
SupportedMcClelland served as Australia's top law officer in the Rudd government from 2007 to 2011.World news | The Guardian: “McClelland was the country’s top law officer in the Rudd government, serving from 2007 until 2011.”
SupportedMcClelland has been deputy chief justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court since 2018, after the Coalition appointed him to the court in 2015.World news | The Guardian: “He has served as the deputy chief justice of the federal circuit and family court of Australia since 2018, and was appointed to the court by the Coalition in 2015.”