KPMG releases first tranche of documents to Senate committee
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The news: KPMG has sent documents to a Senate committee investigating its whistleblower allegations after chair Martin Sheppard relented to release investigation files late on Friday.
Labor Senator Deborah O’Neill told Capital Brief “the committee has received a first tranche of documents from KPMG”.
“We will process those documents — and others yet to arrive — in the usual way, with care and caution to ensure they are given proper consideration in accordance with the long standing practice of the Senate,” O’Neill said.
The context: During the Senate hearing Sheppard repeatedly said the firm would not release any documents related to the investigation due to legal professional privilege as it needed to protect those who cooperated and because of client confidentiality.
However, by late afternoon, Sheppard agreed to provide the documents after O’Neill said the committee had received thousands of pages of confidential material which was only put on the public record in very rare cases.
The audit leaks scandal, which has resulted in several senior departures from KPMG, centres on the firm’s failure to address whistleblower allegations that it misused confidential client information to win contracts.
The source: Senate committee
