NACC Commissioner Brereton attended at least 18 formal Defence functions in his uniform as a Major General since he was appointed NACC Commissioner in July 2023, according to formal budget estimates answers provided to Greens Senator Shoebridge today.
Defence's $55 billion budget and the repeated procurement scandals inside the organisation mean it is a prime target for the federal anti-corruption watchdog.
The answers detail how NACC Commissioner Paul Brereton maintains extensive ongoing military commitments, including an honorary Major General rank and Colonel Commandant role, raising serious questions about potential conflicts of interest.
The responses show not only has Commissioner Brereton attended multiple military functions in uniform, accessed defense facilities, but he also successfully petitioned the Chief of Army to allow him to retain his Major General rank and entitlements despite hitting the statutory age limit. This was all at the same time as he has been tasked with independently investigating Defence in his role as NACC Commissioner.
Senator David Shoebridge, Greens Spokesperson for Defence and Justice, said:
'What these answers make clear is that every time Commissioner Brereton puts on his Major General uniform he is actively putting himself into the Defence hierarchy and subject to the lawful direction from Defence leadership.
"As recently as June last year Commissioner Brereton personally asked the Chief of Army for a favour, to keep his uniform and his position as a Major General, and we would never have found this out if we didn't force these answers out of him.
"It's such an obvious conflict of interest when the head of the NACC is seeking favours from Defence leadership at the same time that he is meant to be fearlessly investigating serious corruption inside Defence.
"These answers show Commissioner Brereton repeatedly going to swanky dinners and formal functions with Defence, in fact he has attended an ADF event nearly every month since heading up the NACC.
"Commissioner Brereton's position is increasingly untenable. The NACC needs to be beyond reproach and have the full trust of the public.
"Playing military dressup and seeking favours from Defence, while being tasked with investigating them, breaks trust with the public and shows a serious lack of judgement."
