The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has decided to drop two investigations into former commissioner Paul Brereton, citing the inability to justify further expenditure on the inquiries. Inspector Gail Furness announced the decision, stating that Brereton's resignation and the resolution of systemic issues were key factors in her conclusion.

Investigation Closure
The NACC inspector, Gail Furness, released a statement on Wednesday, confirming the end of the investigations into complaints against Brereton. She emphasized that significant public funds had already been spent and that further expenditure would not be warranted given that Brereton had resigned and the systemic issues had been satisfactorily addressed. Furness stated, "I cannot justify such expenditure in circumstances where Commissioner Brereton has resigned."

Brereton, who was the inaugural commissioner of the NACC, announced his resignation during a Senate estimates hearing in May, just three years into his five-year appointment. He indicated that the ongoing investigations were distracting from the commission's core mission of enhancing integrity within the public sector.

Conflict of Interest Allegations
One of the investigations into Brereton was prompted by allegations that he failed to properly declare conflicts of interest during his tenure. These concerns were particularly related to his previous role as Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force. Furness noted that while a draft report had been prepared, the relevant information was already publicly accessible, making further investigation unnecessary.

Legal Considerations
Furness also mentioned that a legal issue regarding Brereton's potential violation of public governance laws had become irrelevant following his resignation. Although she had received numerous defence-related referrals during Brereton's tenure, she concluded that the changes made to the NACC's conflict of interest declarations were sufficient to address any lingering issues.

Wrap-up
The decision to cease the investigations into Paul Brereton marks a significant moment for the NACC as it seeks to move forward following leadership changes. The commission aims to focus on its primary objective of promoting integrity and transparency in the public sector, free from the distractions of past controversies.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team