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FED:Corruption watchdog chief concedes he's a distraction

The first head of Australia's national corruption watchdog rejects suggestions he should have been more transparent about connections with the defence establishment that led to his resignation.

But National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Paul Brereton has conceded the issue had become a distraction.

A day after announcing plans to step down in July after a turbulent three years as commissioner, Mr Brereton said he did not need to give the government more details about his defence ties because it was like asking what church he attends.

During an at times tense appearance before a parliamentary inquiry, Mr Brereton said questions about his ongoing work with the Inspector General of the Australian Defence Force - one of the agencies the National Anti-Corruption Commission had the power to investigate - had made it hard for the commission to get clear air.

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