The head of the investigation into alleged Australian war crimes in Afghanistan has been named as the first federal anti-corruption chief.
New South Wales (NSW) Court of Appeal judge Paul Brereton will lead the National Anti-Corruption Commission, which will operate independently of the government and be able to launch inquiries on its initiative or in response to referrals, including from whistleblowers and the public.
Deputy commissioners will be Nicole Rose and Dr Ben Gauntlett, and Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said each would be appointed for a term of five years.
The body will investigate serious or systemic corrupt conduct across the commonwealth public sector by ministers, parliamentarians and their staff, statutory officer holders, employees of all government entities and government contractors….