Full Breakdown
Robert McClelland appointed head of Australia’s National Anti-Corruption Commission
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Core Appointment
Former Labor attorney-general and federal-court judge Robert McClelland has been named commissioner of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), with Christopher Savundra as deputy commissioner. Both will commence five-year terms on 11 January next year, pending approval by Governor-General Sam Mostyn. The appointments follow an open, competitive, merit-based selection process overseen by a panel that included Attorney-General’s Department secretary Katherine Jones, former federal-court judge Raymond Finkelstein, and Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chief Gina Cass-Gottlieb.
Background & Context
McClelland served as Australia’s top law officer in the Rudd government from 2007 to 2011, left parliament in 2013, and has been deputy chief justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court since 2018 after a 2015 appointment by the former Coalition government. His predecessor, Paul Brereton, resigned in May 2023 amid criticism that his external consulting work for the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force created perceived conflicts of interest. The NACC has faced scrutiny for secretive procedures and a controversial 2024 decision not to investigate six individuals referred by the Robodebt Royal Commission, a decision later reversed after more than 1,000 complaints.
Official Statements & Responses
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland welcomed the new leadership, stating:
“I congratulate deputy chief Justice McClelland and Mr Savundra on their proposed appointments,” — Michelle Rowland, promised a “reset” of the watchdog after the resignation of Paul Brereton
She also thanked acting commissioner Kylie Kilgour and acting deputy commissioners Jamie Lowe and Penny Shakespeare for their interim service.
Criticism & Opposition
The NACC has been criticised for “secretive and sometimes bungled processes,” including its handling of referrals from the Robodebt Royal Commission. In 2024 the commission initially declined to investigate six referred individuals; the decision attracted over 1,000 complaints and was judged “affected by apprehended bias” because Brereton had not fully recused himself despite declaring a perceived conflict.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I congratulate deputy chief Justice McClelland and Mr Savundra on their proposed appointments,” — Michelle Rowland, Attorney-General