Australia’s federal anti-corruption watchdog needed a heavy-hitting rescue mission. Enter Robert McClelland.
The former Labor attorney general and federal court judge has just been appointed to lead the National Anti-Corruption Commission, taking the reins after Paul Brereton’s messy resignation back in May. Alongside Christopher Savundra from ASIC stepping in as deputy commissioner, the federal government is desperately signaling a fresh start.
If you've followed the watchdog's chaotic first years, you know the stakes couldn't be higher. The commission faced fierce public backlash over secretive procedures, bungled referrals, and the initial, widely panned decision not to investigate the officials referred by the robodebt royal commission. When the inspector general later found that choice was tainted by apprehended bias, public trust took a severe hit.
Now, McClelland has five years starting January 11 to fix a bruised institution. Can a seasoned judicial insider actually restore public faith, or will institutional caution slow down meaningful reform?
The Baggage Robert McClelland Inherits
Let's be honest about what lands on McClelland's desk on day one. Setting up a brand-new federal integrity agency was never going to be smooth, but the early stumbles were brutal.
Paul Brereton stepped down after heavy criticism over external consulting work for the inspector general of the Australian defence force while leading the NACC, sparking intense conflict-of-interest concerns. Then came the robodebt fallout. Over a thousand complaints flooded the inspector's office after the watchdog initially refused to probe referrals handed down by the royal commission. While subsequent investigations ultimately found serious corrupt conduct by two public servants, the initial hesitation left citizens wondering if the watchdog had teeth.
McClelland brings immense legal weight to the position. He served as attorney general in the Rudd government from 2007 to 2011, left federal parliament in 2013, and was appointed to the federal circuit and family court by a Coalition government in 2015, eventually rising to deputy chief justice.
That resume means he understands both sides of the political aisle. Critics might point out his deep establishment roots, but supporters argue that navigating Canberra's complex legal and political machinery requires someone who knows how the system operates from the inside.
What Needs to Change Immediately
An independent integrity commission only works if the public actually believes it is independent and competent. Attorney General Michelle Rowland promised an open, merit-based selection process involving top-tier bureaucratic and legal figures like Katherine Jones, Raymond Finkelstein, and Gina Cass-Gottlieb, resulting in unanimous bipartisan and crossbench backing, including support from independent MP Helen Haines.
Having the tick of approval from parliament is a nice start. Translating that into transparent, fearless investigations is where the real work begins.
Transparency must become the baseline, not an afterthought. When high-profile referrals land at the commission, the public expects clear reasoning, swift action, and zero perception of internal conflicts. Sweeping tough choices under the rug destroys credibility faster than any external political attack ever could.
What Happens Next
McClelland and Savundra take over officially on January 11, subject to formal approval by Governor-General Sam Mostyn. Until then, acting commissioner Kylie Kilgour holds the fort.
The real test won't happen during their swearing-in ceremonies. It will happen the moment a politically sensitive case lands on their desk and powerful people demand quiet treatment. McClelland spent decades inside the political and judicial establishment. Now, his entire legacy depends on whether he is willing to hold that very establishment accountable.
