National Anti-Corruption Commission drops probe into Bruce Lehrmann's alleged submarine leak

The National Anti-Corruption Commission sent a letter stating it will take no further action in the investigation of Bruce Lehrmann, who was accused of using classified French submarine data for personal purposes. The probe, part of Operation Ivanhoe, began with a June 2024 raid on Lehrmann's home and the seizure of a blue diary alleged to hold eight pages of sensitive information. Lehrmann has filed lawsuits against Special Minister of State Don Farrell and former NACC commissioner Paul Brereton, claiming the raids exceeded the agency’s authority and forced him into secret hearings in Hobart.

He described the investigation as based on “frivolous, James Bond-like allegations” and called for the NACC’s abolition. The case is linked to earlier allegations that Lehrmann accessed the documents shortly after a reported sexual assault on colleague Brittany Higgins, a claim upheld by multiple courts but still untested criminally. Lehrmann remains involved in a separate anti-corruption inquiry, Operation Greenough, concerning alleged police misuse of information. The legal battles are ongoing.