KPMG Letters

Question

Senator KOVACIC: In light of the revelations around KPMG last week and the concerns there, what steps have you taken to assure yourself about the handling of departmental information and the confidentiality of that information? Mr Cook: Thank you for the question, and Mr Markovic will assist me on this. We were notified by the Department of Finance last Friday, I think, in relation to this matter, in regard to KPMG. I understand KPMG has also written to us to advise us of personnel involved in our work and to give us an assurance that none of the personnel are involved in the situation that's currently occurring at KPMG. Senator KOVACIC: So they've written and confirmed that there has been no impact? Mr Cook: That's my understanding. Yes-by looking at the nods at the table. Mr Markovic will help again. Mr Markovic: Yes, as the secretary mentioned-maybe if I just step back. Obviously, we became aware of the issue in the media late last week. We were advised by the Department of Finance on Friday as part of whole-of-government arrangements, and Finance are the panel owner for this. KPMG in various forms have written to each of our contract managers. Some of those are quite comprehensive letters; some of those are short emails just alerting us to the issue. At the moment we are working through that information and determining the questions we have for them in relation to our understanding of the incident and what other information we might need to provide assurance around the contracts that you've mentioned. Given the level of detail KPMG has provided on the different contracts, we might have different questions for each of the people at KPMG, but we are working through that as we speak. We have drafted some correspondence, and we're working through what that will look like with our lawyers at the moment. Senator KOVACIC: For my understanding, are we confident then that departmental information has not been compromised, or is it that we don't think it has, but we're not quite sure yet? Mr Cook: We don't have any reason to believe-but again we'll be seeking those assurances with KPMG. Senator KOVACIC: Could I ask you to table those letters, please? Mr Cook: Sure. Senator KOVACIC: Thank you.

Answer

Please see the attached PDF.

Documents

• Question with answer (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
• SQ26-000714.pdf (opens in a new tab)