Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions, Sarah McNaughton SC

On 5 May 2016, the former Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, announced the appointment of Ms Sarah McNaughton SC as Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions for five years.

Ms McNaughton has more than 30 years’ experience as a legal practitioner, having held a range of roles in private practice and with the CDPP. She has been a respected member of the New South Wales Bar since 1996 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2011. With specialist expertise in offences related to taxation, corporate crime, drug importation and terrorism, Ms McNaughton has appeared as prosecution and defence counsel in complex criminal trials. She has degrees in Arts (Hons) and Law (Hons), and a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney.

Commonwealth Solicitor for Public Prosecutions, Andrea Pavleka

In February 2017, the Director appointed Ms Andrea Pavleka as the Commonwealth Solicitor for Public Prosecutions. Prior to her appointment, Ms Pavleka was Deputy Director of the Illegal Imports and Exports practice group, and the Human Exploitation and Border Protection practice group.

In her career as a criminal prosecutor, spanning 28 years, Ms Pavleka has managed a range of functions across the CDPP’s practice, including prosecutions related to drug importations, tax fraud, people smuggling, organised crime and counter terrorism. As a Federal Prosecutor, she managed major criminal litigation, including some of the CDPP’s most complex and long-running trials.

Ms Pavleka has been a member of the senior executive since 2004 and worked in both the Melbourne and Sydney offices of the CDPP. She holds a Law degree from the Australian National University.

Deputy Director National Business Improvement, David Adsett

As a Federal Prosecutor with more than 30 years’ experience, Mr Adsett has been responsible for successfully prosecuting a wide range of offence types. These include money laundering, tax fraud, commercial fraud, drug importation, people smuggling and terrorism.

He currently leads the CDPP’s National Business Improvement area, focusing on developing the skills, and delivering the tools and infrastructure required to drive our digital transformation.

Mr Adsett’s ongoing interest in innovation in the legal practice has led to a range of improvements that support our prosecutors, our investigative partners and our ability to measure performance. Mr Adsett holds degrees in Law and Arts from the University of Queensland, and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Sydney. Mr Adsett is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Deputy Director Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism, Scott Bruckard PSM

Mr Bruckard joined the CDPP in 1987 and has been a member of the senior executive since 2014. He leads the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Practice Group, responsible for prosecutions related to terrorism, large-scale drug and tobacco importation, firearms trafficking, money laundering, war crimes and national security.

Mr Bruckard is committed to improving law enforcement outcomes and developing better ways to manage large criminal litigation, particularly through more effective partnerships and the application of new technology.

In June 2016, Mr Bruckard was awarded a Public Service Medal in recognition of his distinguished service to the law enforcement and justice community, particularly his role in leading significant counter terrorism prosecutions.

He holds degrees in Arts and Law from the University of Melbourne.

Deputy Director Revenue and Benefits Fraud, and International Assistance and Specialist Agencies, James Carter

Mr Carter has extensive experience in Commonwealth criminal law, having commenced his legal career at the CDPP in 1987. After prosecuting matters in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, he worked in the areas of law reform and practice management. He then became the Deputy Director for Revenue and Benefits Fraud and in 2019 also assumed responsibility for International Assistance and Specialist Agencies.

Mr Carter has worked extensively with partner agencies across a wide range of criminal offences, prosecuting matters relating to tax, social security and identity fraud, helping to protect the integrity of Commonwealth programs. He has also contributed to the work of the Australian Law Reform Commission, particularly in relation to sentencing federal offenders and the development of Commonwealth criminal law.

Mr Carter has been a member of the senior executive of the CDPP since 2004 and a Deputy Director since 2007. He holds degrees in Law and Arts from the Australian National University, and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Deputy Director Illegal Imports and Exports, and Human Exploitation and Border Protection, Mark de Crespigny

Mr de Crespigny has national responsibility for prosecuting a large variety of crime types, including general drug, precursor and tobacco importation offences, money laundering, child exploitation offences, human trafficking, slavery and people smuggling.

He joined the CDPP in 1989 and has worked in our Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide offices. Mr de Crespigny’s experience in successfully prosecuting a range of crime types and managing relationships with key stakeholders underpins his ability to coordinate a broad and complex area of national practice.

As a member of the senior executive for more than 12 years, Mr deCrespigny became responsible for the Illegal Imports and Exports practice group and the Human Exploitation and Border Protection practice group in 2017.

Mr de Crespigny holds degrees in Law and Commerce from the Australian National University.

Deputy Director Commercial, Financial and Corruption, Berdj Tchakerian

Mr Tchakerian joined the CDPP in 1986 and has prosecuted a wide range of cases including fraud and drug matters. He was the CDPP’s representative on Project Wickenby, a whole-of-government taskforce focused on combatting tax fraud. In this role he worked closely with partner agencies over a number of years to contribute to the success of the taskforce, and maintains strong links in this area of law enforcement.

Mr Tchakerian became a member of the CDPP’s senior executive in 2000, and in 2017 he became responsible for the Commercial, Financial and Corruption practice group.

He holds degrees in Law and Arts from Monash University.

Chief Corporate Officer, Simon Ash

Mr Ash has had a long and accomplished career in the Australian Public Service. As a senior economic adviser to two Prime Ministers, he was instrumental in preparing Federal Budget and Financial Statements, and has been the Chief Financial Officer of five Commonwealth agencies.

Mr Ash has extensive experience in leading corporate services, introducing innovative information and communications technology solutions, automated purchasing and procurement systems, and assimilating all corporate functions following the merger of two departments.

He was a key participant in the Australian Government’s movement to accrual budgeting in 1999 and the introduction of the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997. Mr Ash has also provided extensive strategic policy and budgeting advice to the Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet.

He has been a member of the Senior Executive Service within the Australian Public Service for more than 20 years, and joined the CDPP in 2017.

He holds degrees in Commerce and Economics from the Australian National University.