Robert McClelland proposed as Australia's new NACC head

The Australian government has proposed Robert McClelland as the new head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). McClelland, a former Attorney-General and current deputy chief justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, will succeed inaugural commissioner Paul Brereton, who resigned following allegations of conflict of interest.

Alongside McClelland, the government has nominated Christopher Savundra, an executive director at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), to serve as deputy commissioner. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland stated that the candidates were selected through an open, competitive, and merit-based process. The nominations have received unanimous approval from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the NACC.

McClelland is scheduled to take office in January 2027. His appointment follows a period of scrutiny regarding the NACC's leadership after Brereton stepped down due to controversies involving his consultancy work and decisions related to the Robodebt scandal.