Anti Corruption

Brereton says ‘ongoing focus on matters relating to me personally’ were ‘drawing attention away from the commission’s core purpose’Paul Brereton, Australia’s first national anti-corruption commissioner, will step down from the top job in July, citing criticism of potential conflicts of interest as “drawing attention away” from the body’s core purpose.In a statement on Monday afternoon, Brereton said the “ongoing focus on matters relating to me personally” were “drawing attention away from the commission’s core purpose of strengthening integrity”. Continue reading...

Helen Haines says ‘the clock is ticking’ on replacing deputy commissioner Nicole RoseGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA key architect of the National Anti-Corruption Commission says parliament should consider new merit-based and independent selection processes for major appointments, urging the Albanese government to use an existing vacancy to restore public confidence in the watchdog.Independent MP Helen Haines, who helped craft legislation to establish the Nacc, sits on its parliamentary oversight committee. She said “the clock is ticking” on replacing deputy commissioner Nicole Rose, who announced her resignation this month. Continue reading...

Ex-Parramatta council chief executive Gail Connolly and ‘close network’ allegedly promoted friends while targeting others for reprisalsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA New South Wales anti-corruption inquiry is investigating whether three friends in powerful positions at a western Sydney council, who called themselves the “Pink Ops”, subverted recruitment and promotion processes to benefit friends.The NSW Independent Commission against Corruption (Icac) held its first day of public hearings on Monday into allegations concerning Parramatta council’s former chief executive Gail Connolly, as well as council employees Roxanne Thornton and Angela Jones-Blayney and other staff. Continue reading...

• US Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced charges against 11 defendants in a transnational drug trafficking conspiracy involving methamphetamine distribution, according to a May 7, 2026 press briefing. • Law enforcement arrested seven East Coast defendants and executed 25 search warrants across six judicial districts including DC, Baltimore, Alexandria, Philadelphia, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Albany, and Miami. • The operation represents a significant federal enforcement action combining anti-corruption investigations with drug trafficking charges against high-level political figures, according to the five-count indictment.