Consultancy giant KPMG was ordered to provide assurances it had not misused confidential Queensland government data after the embattled firm confirmed it had shared secret client information to win new business.
Queensland contacted the consultancy firm, amid simultaneous requests from other jurisdictions, after KPMG was embroiled in a corporate scandal over the leaking of the confidential information.
The state was assured the company had not misused secret information relating to contracts with the government worth tens of millions of dollars, according to Queensland’s department of housing.
“Contracts with KPMG are subject to strict contract management, performance monitoring and confidentiality requirements, and the government has received assurances no breach involving Queensland government information or projects has been identified,” a spokeswoman said in response to questions from this masthead.
“The Queensland government remains in active discussions with the Commonwealth and other jurisdictions and will continue to closely monitor developments.”
The Queensland government did not disclose the current total amount committed in contracts with KPMG when contacted by this masthead, but more than $85 million was contracted by agencies to the consultancy firm in 2024-25.
The spokesperson said the government “expects the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality and accountability from all suppliers”, with all contracts subject to management procedures, regular performance reviews, and robust supplier assurance.
This comes after NSW demanded KPMG confirm none of its staff under internal or external investigation were working on any state government work, and all information gained through contracts had been appropriately managed.
Meanwhile, a Victorian government spokesperson told this masthead it would review all contracts with KPMG and was “considering our next steps to ensure government information has not been inappropriately used”.
KPMG confirmed confidential client data had been shared and potentially used to lure new business with other clients after claims were levelled against the consultancy giant from a whistleblower.
Labor senator Deborah O’Neill revealed the whistleblower allegations in parliament in March, and the scandal ultimately led to the resignation of KPMG Australia chief executive Andrew Yates and senior partner Julian McPherson.
The firm’s chair, Martin Sheppard, apologised to the whistleblower “unreservedly” on Friday in a lengthy statement from KPMG that conceded an internal investigation had failed to substantiate the allegations.
“KPMG apologises to the clients whose information was not handled with the care and respect they expect from us,” he said.
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James Hall is the News Director at the Brisbane Times. He is the former Queensland correspondent at The Australian Financial Review and has reported for a range of mastheads across the country, specialising on political and finance reporting.Connect via X or email.