Robert McClelland named new corruption watchdog chief after Brereton resignation

Robert McClelland, a former Labor attorney-general and federal court judge, has been named the new head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. According to The Guardian, McClelland served as the country’s top law officer in the Rudd government from 2007 until 2011 and has been the deputy chief justice of the federal circuit and family court of Australia since 2018. ABC News AU noted his appointment follows a turbulent first few years for the federal anti-corruption watchdog.

McClelland succeeds Paul Brereton, the commission's first leader, who resigned in May stating that criticism of him was "drawing attention away" from the body's purpose, per The Guardian. Attorney-general Michelle Rowland stated that McClelland was selected through an open, competitive, and merit-based process.

Christopher Savundra has been named as the new deputy commissioner. Both McClelland and Savundra are scheduled to begin five-year terms on 11 January next year, according to The Guardian.

Brief written by urgent.news from ABC News AU, The Guardian, The Guardian Australia — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.