Ministers and Senators Behaving Badly Series 4

If you can't convince them, then confuse them …
Following repeated calls by the opposition for more probity, word leaked
to the media that KPMG had been called in to conduct a “probity
audit”. The Age declared that KPMG had been hauled in to “give an
impression that the selection criteria is kosher”.
No media release announcing KPMG’s appointment as probity auditor
exists in the archived websites of Tourism Australia, the department of
industry, and that of the minister, Fran Bailey.
However, the plot has thickened considerably with FoI documents obtained
this week by Michael West Media revealing that the probity report
supposedly conducted by KPMG, a report that Scott Morrison repeatedly
used to shield himself from attacks over the awarding of the $180 million
contracts, cannot be found anywhere.
Moreover, Tourism Australia was unable to find any emails, briefings or
tender documentation associated with a probity audit into the M&C
Saatchi contract.
What Morrison told the Senate
Morrison, in his role as managing director of Tourism Australia, told Senate
estimates on 2 November 2005 that the KPMG probity audit was “an
internal document that has been provided to our Board. I am sure there are
the usual provisions for making requests for those types of documents”.
Morrison said he would take on notice the request to provide the report –
subsequently, he said that the “report is considered commercial in
confidence”.
The same month, the Senate committee looking into government
advertising also requested Tourism Australia table the KPMG report.
Tourism Australia on 25 November 2005 responded: “Tourism Australia
requested internal auditors, KPMG, to undertake a review of the tender
evaluation process to assist the Board with their review of the
recommendation to be received from management. The report is
considered to be commercial in confidence.”
Michael West Media contacted KPMG and numerous government
agencies to hunt down the mysterious probity report, but it simply cannot
be found.