EY Australia Launches Oceania Public Interest Council
The new council, chaired by former King & Wood Mallesons chief executive Sue Kench, will oversee audits and professional services in the public interest.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Professional Services
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EY Australia has launched the Oceania Public Interest Council as an oversight arm of Oceania leadership, with Sue Kench appointed as independent chair. The council provides external perspectives and advises on policies and strategies.
Why it matters
The council follows a global EY governance review and comes as KPMG Australia faces a months-long audit scandal that is likely to prompt regulatory changes for accounting and audit firms.
The council has seven members: three independent non-executives, the Oceania managing partner and chief executive, and the Oceania risk management and independence leader. EY has only commenced recruitment of the independent non-executives, so their identities remain unannounced.
The players
EY Australia
The Australian arm of the global professional services firm Ernst & Young, which operates one of the Big Four accounting networks.
Sue Kench
A former global chief executive of the law firm King & Wood Mallesons who now chairs the EY Oceania Public Interest Council as an independent.
KPMG Australia
The Australian member firm of the KPMG global network, whose months-long audit scandal has drawn scrutiny of the sector.
The details
Sue Kench, previously global chief executive of King & Wood Mallesons and an independent adviser to the EY Global Governance Council since 2025, will chair the council. The body oversees audits and other professional services with a focus on the public interest.
Timeline
2025: Sue Kench became an adviser to the EY Global Governance Council.
4 November 2026: EY Australia launched the Oceania Public Interest Council.
Industry Context
The move follows KPMG Australia's months-long audit scandal, which is likely to lead to regulatory changes for accounting and audit firms. EY's council positions the firm to respond to that tightening scrutiny with independent oversight.
Clients of EY Australia's audit and advisory services may see stronger independent oversight of audit quality as the council begins work. Businesses relying on Big Four audit reports should watch for any regulatory changes that follow the KPMG Australia scandal.
The takeaway
Independent oversight of audit firms is becoming a central expectation, so readers relying on professional services should look for clear governance structures. Watch for how the council's independent non-executives are appointed once recruitment concludes.
Further reading
Explore more on Professional Services in Australia and how audit oversight is evolving.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Capital Brief.
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