Overview
- The NACC inspector, Gail Furness SC, told a Senate inquiry she has received close to 90 conflict-of-interest complaints since July 1 and is reviewing roughly 400 documents with counsel, a process she said will take months.
- Furness said the material covers Brereton’s Defence ties, his ongoing advisory role to the IGADF, and the commission’s procurement of counsel assisting, with further information expected.
- A NACC letter to the Senate confirmed Brereton advised the IGADF on at least eight occasions during NACC working hours, totaling about 24 hours since July 2023.
- Documents show Defence extended Brereton’s Army Reserve service to August 27, 2026 to retain his ‘critical capability,’ which the IGADF said enables access to classified material.
- Brereton updated his interests declaration on October 22 to note informal, voluntary advice to the IGADF, and the NACC says he has stepped back from Defence investigations despite stating there is no ‘actual conflict,’ as officials cite public confidence concerns.