KPMG appoints chair who claimed leak allegations were ‘completely false’ and called senator’s actions ‘inappropriate’
Summary
KPMG has named Michael Ebeid as its new chair after the previous chair resigned amid criticism over the firm’s handling of ethical issues. Emails show Ebeid previously denied leak allegations and criticized a senator’s actions, but he later apologized, saying he did not know all the facts at the time.Key Facts
- Michael Ebeid was appointed chair of KPMG after Martin Sheppard resigned under pressure from a parliamentary inquiry.
- Ebeid had earlier called leak allegations “completely false” and criticized Senator Deborah O’Neill for making them public.
- Ebeid apologized after emails were released showing he made those comments before knowing the full extent of KPMG’s problems.
- KPMG acknowledged that its investigations into whistleblower claims about leaked confidential information were not thorough enough.
- The leaks involved confidential data from companies like Optus and Lendlease, shared to benefit audit contract applications.
- The parliamentary committee released emails to highlight Ebeid’s earlier statements as he takes on a leadership role.
- Barbara Pocock, a senator, said Ebeid’s appointment suggests KPMG still has deep ethical issues to fix.
- Ebeid was the only board member to defend KPMG’s legal privilege claim when asked to share investigation documents with the committee.
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