Paul Brereton, Australia’s first national anti-corruption commissioner, resigned as the head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. His resignation is set to take effect on 6 July 2026 (bluesky reported) and he will step down from his position in July 2026 (guardian reported). Brereton had served three years of a five‑year term before resigning (bluesky reported).

Brereton said that ongoing focus on matters relating to him personally was drawing attention away from the commission’s core purpose. He added that the commission’s success is paramount and not due to any single person, and he will continue to resist any suggestion of impropriety. He said he decided to step aside to allow a new commissioner to lead the next phase of the commission’s development (theconversation.com reported).

He is scheduled to be questioned by senators at estimates hearings on 25 May 2026 (abc_au reported). Calls were made for a wider reset of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (abc_au reported). His tenure was described as being marked by repeated controversy (theconversation.com reported).