KPMG leaked confidential Optus information and surveilled whistleblower’s laptop, inquiry hears

KPMG admitted to a third breach of ethics and said it had surveilled a whistleblower, a joint parliamentary committee heard. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Reuters

KPMG has admitted to another breach of ethics after its staff leaked Optus’ confidential information to colleagues bidding for an audit contract with Telstra.

The consulting firm’s executives also surveilled a whistleblower’s laptop and dismissed the individual as someone with “workplace grievances”, a parliamentary inquiry heard on Friday.