Politics · Australia · 3 hrs ago
Robert McClelland named to lead Australia's anti-corruption commission
Robert McClelland has been named head of Australia's National Anti-Corruption Commission, the federal body that investigates corruption in the public sector.
McClelland was a Labor MP and attorney-general from 2007 to 2011, and has served as a deputy chief justice since 2018.
Christopher Savundra has been appointed deputy commissioner; he is an executive at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
The appointments follow the departure of the commission's first head, Paul Brereton, after criticism over his handling of high-profile matters.
The watchdog has also faced scrutiny over its response to complaints about the illegal robodebt scheme and its lack of public hearings.
The new leaders are expected to help rebuild public confidence in a body whose early years have been marked by controversy.
Both are due to begin five-year terms in January.
Robert McClelland has been named to lead Australia’s National Anti-Corruption Commission.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said he was chosen through an open, competitive and merit-based process.
McClelland is a former Labor attorney-general and has served as deputy chief justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court.
He will serve a five-year term starting in January, alongside new deputy commissioner Christopher Savundra.
The appointments come after criticism of the commission and the departure of its inaugural commissioner, Paul Brereton.
- Who
- Robert McClelland has been named commissioner, and Christopher Savundra deputy commissioner.
- What
- They have been appointed to lead Australia’s National Anti-Corruption Commission.
- When
- Announced on October 19, 2026. Their five-year terms start in January.
- Where
- Australia.
- Why
- The appointments follow Brereton’s departure and are intended to help restore public confidence in the commission.
Government and supporters
Opposition
Appointments
Government and supporters
Rowland said the selection process was open, competitive and merit-based. Helen Haines called it robust and said the appointments offered an opportunity to rebuild confidence.
Opposition
Shadow attorney-general Michaelia Cash said Labor needed to ensure the appointments restored confidence in a strong anti-corruption body.
Commission’s leadership
Government and supporters
Haines said McClelland’s experience and Savundra’s legal and regulatory background could support the commission’s work.
Opposition
Cash cited concerns about the first commissioner’s conduct and how the commission was run.
Paul Brereton resigned, saying criticism of him was drawing attention away from the commission’s purpose.
Brereton’s departure from the commission took place.
Attorney-General Michelle Rowland announced McClelland’s appointment and Savundra’s appointment as deputy commissioner.
McClelland and Savundra are due to start their five-year terms.
- Commissioner
- Robert McClelland
- Deputy commissioner
- Christopher Savundra
- Term
- Five years each
- Start
- January
- Selection process
- Open, competitive and merit-based
- Former commissioner
- Paul Brereton
3 sources
What people are saying
I have confidence in their ability to contribute to [the watchdog’s] important work to enhance integrity across the Commonwealth public sector
The first commissioner to the NACC didn’t even last a full term, with there being serious concerns about his conduct and the way the commission is run
The National Anti-Corruption Commission needed a reset. The proposed appointments are an opportunity to rebuild public confidence and ensure the commission can do its job with independence, credibility and integrity