Inaugural National Anti-Corruption Commission Appointments
I propose to recommend to the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), the following appointments to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC):
- Commissioner: The Hon Justice Paul Brereton AM RFD
- Deputy Commissioner: Ms Nicole Rose PSM
- Deputy Commissioner: Dr Ben Gauntlett
- Chief Executive Officer: Mr Philip Reed
- Inspector: Ms Gail Furness SC
Each proposed appointee was selected in accordance with the Government’s Merit and Transparency Policy. They have the experience and capacity to guide the NACC through its first months and years of operation and set it up for future success.
The proposed appointments to the NACC have been approved by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission as required by the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act.
In addition, I have appointed Ms Jaala Hinchcliffe as Acting Deputy Commissioner for up to 12 months or until a third substantive Deputy Commissioner is appointed.
With these proposed appointments the Government is delivering on its commitment to the Australian people to return integrity, honesty and accountability to government by establishing a powerful, transparent and independent National Anti-Corruption Commission in its first term.
Biographies of the proposed appointees are attached.
Biographies of proposed appointees
Hon Justice Paul Brereton AM RFD
The Hon Justice Paul Brereton AM RFD has a wealth of experience leading complex and sensitive investigations, including as Assistant Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force when he delivered the Afghanistan Inquiry Report.
Justice Brereton is a Judge of the NSW Court of Appeal, Assistant Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force and holds a commission as a Major General in the Australian Defence Force Reserves.
Justice Brereton’s proposed term of appointment as the inaugural Commissioner of the NACC is five years.
Nicole Rose PSM
Ms Nicole Rose PSM is the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and has extensive experience in law enforcement, intelligence and regulatory environments.
Ms Rose’s proposed term of appointment as a Deputy Commissioner of the NACC is five years.
Dr Ben Gauntlett
Dr Ben Gauntlett has considerable experience in high-profile, sensitive leadership roles including as Disability Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission. He also has extensive experience in the legal profession as a solicitor and barrister, Counsel Assisting the Solicitor-General and as a law lecturer at the University of Western Australia and the Melbourne University School of Law.
Dr Gauntlett’s proposed term of appointment as a Deputy Commissioner of the NACC is five years.
Ms Jaala Hinchcliffe
Ms Jaala Hinchcliffe is the Integrity Commissioner and agency head for the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity (ACLEI) which will be subsumed into the NACC. Ms Hinchcliffe’s appointment as interim Deputy Commissioner will provide continuity for ACLEI staff and stakeholders during the transition.
Ms Hinchcliffe’s proposed term of appointment as interim Deputy Commissioner of the NACC is 12 months or until a third substantive Deputy Commissioner is appointed.
Mr Philip Reed
Mr Philip Reed brings substantial experience to this role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption. Mr Reed has previously been the CEO of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses into Child Sexual Abuse and a senior state official.
Mr Reed’s proposed term of appointment as CEO of the NACC is five years.
Ms Gail Furness SC
Gail Furness SC is the Inspector of the New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption and Senior Counsel for the State of NSW, Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. She has also been senior counsel in a range of complex state and federal matters.
Ms Furness’ proposed term of appointment as the Inspector of the NACC is on a part-time basis for seven years.