Overview
- Paul Brereton rejected fresh demands to step down after a tense parliamentary hearing, with integrity figures and MPs arguing his continued Defence links have eroded confidence.
- The NACC Inspector said she has received close to 90 complaints since July 1 and is reviewing more than 400 documents running to thousands of pages, a process she expects will take months.
- All three deputy commissioners told parliament a blanket recusal from Defence matters was necessary to restore public confidence, contradicting Brereton’s view that it was legally unnecessary.
- Documents show Brereton updated his declaration on October 22 to disclose informal, unpaid advice to the IGADF; the NACC CEO later confirmed at least eight advisory interactions occurred during NACC working hours, totaling about 24 hours since mid‑2023.
- Defence records reveal his Army Reserve service was extended to August 27, 2026 to preserve ‘critical capability’ for the Afghanistan inquiry and maintain access to classified material.