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KPMG Australia’s chief executive Andrew Yates and head of audit Julian McPherson resigned on May 29, 2026, after the firm acknowledged its handling of a whistleblower complaint about inappropriate sharing of client documents “fell short” of expectations.
The whistleblower first raised multiple allegations in 2024, including that audit partners accessed confidential board papers which were allegedly used to win work; the matter was made public in March 2026 during parliamentary remarks.
KPMG said initial internal reviews did not have the necessary rigour and appointed external law firms, including Allens and Ashurst, to further investigate.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission has opened preliminary inquiries and discussed the case at a parliamentary committee hearing.
KPMG apologised to the whistleblower and affected clients, reported the issue to regulators and professional bodies, appointed an interim CEO, and said it will engage an ethics consultant and strengthen controls as investigations continue.



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