# McClelland named to lead anti-corruption watchdog

> Former Labor attorney general Robert McClelland takes over the National Anti-Corruption Commission after his predecessor quit over performance criticism.
- Title: McClelland named to lead anti-corruption watchdog | Shortify
- Summary: Former Labor attorney general Robert McClelland takes over the National Anti-Corruption Commission after his predecessor quit over performance criticism…
- Keywords: robert mcclelland, national anti-corruption commission, paul brereton, michelle rowland, christopher savundra, australian politics, government integrity, news, world, McClelland, named, lead
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/19/former-labor-attorney-general-robert-mcclelland-named-new-nacc-boss
- Published: 2026-10-19T03:56:29+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: robert mcclelland, national anti-corruption commission, paul brereton, michelle rowland, christopher savundra, australian politics, government integrity, news, world
## McClelland appointed anti-corruption chief
Robert McClelland, former Labor attorney general and federal court judge, has been named the new boss of the National Anti-Corruption Commission.
## McClelland's background and career
McClelland was the country's top law officer in the Rudd government from two thousand seven until two thousand eleven.
## Brereton quit after criticism
Paul Brereton, appointed the first commissioner in two thousand twenty-three, quit in May saying criticism of his performance was drawing attention away from the body's purpose. The commission faced criticism for secretive and bungled processes.

> drawing attention away
## Savundra named deputy commissioner
Christopher Savundra, currently executive director of enforcement and compliance at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, has been appointed deputy commissioner alongside McClelland.
## Appointments approved unanimously
Attorney General Michelle Rowland said both candidates received unanimous support through an open, competitive and merit-based selection process. The parliamentary joint committee signed off on the appointments.
## Terms begin in January twenty twenty-seven
McClelland and Savundra will begin five-year terms on eleven January next year, subject to approval by governor general Sam Mostyn. Independent MP Helen Haines called the reset necessary and timely.
## Key takeaway

Robert McClelland, a former Labor attorney general and federal court judge, has been appointed commissioner of Australia's National Anti-Corruption Commission following Paul Brereton's resignation.