Government may add Robert McClelland, Christopher Savundra to National Anti-Corruption Commission
The federal government has announced its intent to recommend the following National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) appointments to the governor-general: Robert McClelland as the national anti-corruption commissioner and Christopher Savundra as a national anti-corruption deputy commissioner.
According to a media release from the Attorney-General’s Department, McClelland’s and Savundra’s proposed five-year appointments will potentially begin on 11 January 2027.
McClelland is deputy chief justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA), Divisions 1 and 2. William Alstergren, the FCFCOA’s chief judge, congratulated him on the announcement.
“Deputy Chief Justice McClelland has made an outstanding contribution to the Court and to the administration of justice,” Alstergren said. “His Honour has brought to the Court exceptional experience, sound judgement and a deep commitment to public service.”
“Deputy Chief Justice McClelland and Mr Savundra's expertise will be an asset to the Commission, and I have confidence in their ability to contribute to its important work to enhance integrity across the Commonwealth public sector,” said Michelle Rowland, Australian attorney-general.
The attorney-general’s media release and the FCFCOA’s media release provided more information regarding McClelland and Savundra.
In 2022, McClelland was appointed as an officer of the Order of Australia.
He became deputy chief judge (family law) of Division 2 of the FCFCOA in September 2021, deputy chief justice of the FCFCOA in December 2018, and a judge of the Family Court of Australia in June 2015.
Before that, McClelland served as federal member for Barton from 1996–2013, as vice president of the Executive Council from 2010–12, and as Commonwealth attorney-general from 2007–11.
He has practised as a solicitor and barrister. In 1982, he earned admission to the Supreme Court of New South Wales as a solicitor.
McClelland obtained his LLM from the University of Sydney and his BA and LLB from the University of New South Wales.
With experience spanning law, regulation, and enforcement, Savundra has most recently acted as executive director of enforcement and compliance at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
Also at ASIC, he served in various senior roles from 2010–24, including as general counsel and as senior executive leader.
According to the attorney-general’s media release, McClelland and Savundra were selected in line with the Australian government appointments framework.
A panel composed of the following members assessed the candidates for the NACC appointments:
Under the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022, the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the National Anti-Corruption Commission unanimously approved the appointments.
Kylie Kilgour, acting national anti-corruption commissioner, and Jamie Lowe and Penny Shakespeare, acting deputy commissioners, will continue serving in their roles until the intended appointments take effect.
The federal government expressed gratitude to Kilgour, Lowe, and Shakespeare, and commended them for the leadership and stability they provided to the NACC.
Here are some other news stories on the NACC.
Last May, Paul Brereton submitted his resignation as national anti-corruption commissioner, effective 6 July 2026.
In 2023, the federal government introduced changes to the public sector whistleblower scheme to coincide with the NACC’s inauguration.
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