Media Release: Commissioner Major General Brereton quits the day before his first Senate Estimates appearance — Greens say NACC deserves a fresh start
Media Release: Commissioner Major General Brereton quits the day before his first Senate Estimates appearance — Greens say NACC deserves a fresh start | Australian Greens Skip to main content Search Get Involved Join Donate Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Get Involved Join Donate Search Our plan Toggle Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action Policy principles & aims Our team Toggle Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Media releases Take action Toggle Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Our movement Toggle About the Greens Become a member Jobs Green Magazine All news Media Release: Commissioner Major General Brereton quits the day before his first Senate Estimates appearance — Greens say NACC deserves a fresh start 2026-05-25 The Greens have welcomed the resignation of NACC Commissioner Paul Brereton, which came the day before he was due to face Senate Estimates for the first time.
The Greens have been calling for Commissioner Brereton's resignation for years. Today he has resigned after sustained community and political pressure. Lines attributable to Greens Senator and Justice Spokesperson David Shoebridge: "Paul Brereton's resignation is the right outcome for the NACC and is a step towards rebuilding trust in the Commission.
"It is striking that he chose to resign today the day before his first planned appearance at Senate Estimates which was only scheduled following a successful Greens motion in the Senate last sitting week. "The Robodebt victims, including the people who died as a result of that unlawful scheme, and the hundreds of thousands of Australians harmed by it, deserved better from NACC than they received under Brereton’s leadership.
"Commissioner Brereton’s inability to appropriately manage conflicts of interest, including relating to the Robodebt scandal, has plagued the NACC and materially damaged public trust. “Repeated questioning in Parliament oversight committees has slowly drawn out details of Commissioner Brereton’s ongoing involvement with Defence and this has been essential in shedding light on the NACC.
"The NACC was established because Australians demanded genuine, independent accountability in the Commonwealth public sector. That task is more important than any single Commissioner. “The Albanese Government needs to learn from this experience and approach new appointments with a focus on transparency, accountability and with genuine oversight by the Parliamentary Joint Committee into the NACC.
“The Greens will keep fighting to make sure the NACC becomes the integrity body this country so desperately needs." Facebook for the Australian Greens YouTube for the Australian Greens X for the Australian Greens Instagram for the Australian Greens Bluesky for the Australian Greens Privacy Members website Your safety Contact us Our plan Tax the 1% Tackle the cost of living Healthcare for all Fix the housing crisis Strong climate action In your language 2025 policy platform Policy principles & aims Our team Federal MPs State/territory MPs Officeholders Federal portfolios Federal media releases Take action Volunteer Donate Issues & campaigns Upcoming events Greens Shop Leave a bequest Green Magazine All news Our movement About the Greens Become a member Jobs Members website State/territory parties Contact us The Greens acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture.
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