"Many, many more" whistleblowers have come forward with reports of misconduct at KPMG Australia, a parliamentary committee probing alleged client data leaks at the firm heard on Friday, raising concerns about a broader pattern of wrongdoing.
The scandal erupted in March following allegations made by an anonymous whistleblower that KPMG misused confidential client information to bid for audit contracts.
KPMG initially said the claims were unsubstantiated. But the firm's CEO, audit boss and chairman have all since resigned, and it has confirmed the misuse of internal documents by staff.
At a parliamentary hearing in Canberra, Deborah O'Neill, a Labor party senator who chairs the committee, said more people were now reporting similar conduct.
"There are many, many more who are contacting us and they are talking about a repeat of the same behaviour," O'Neill said.
KPMG has acknowledged it mishandled the whistleblower complaint and has launched a fourth internal investigation after previous ones failed to substantiate any wrongdoing.
Former KPMG chairman Martin Sheppard also confirmed to the committee reports in the Australian Financial Review that another whistleblower who alleged misconduct in the firm's tax division had received a settlement at the end of 2024.
The day-long parliamentary hearing was the second to investigate how the firm used data on clients Lendlease opens new tab and Optus to bid for work with Westpac Dexus and Telstra.
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