At a federal inquiry, a senator questions the public trust of major consultancy firms, prompting a sharp reaction. According to multiple reports, the senator says they are “gobsmacked” by the response provided by a former KPMG chief after being asked about whether large consultancy companies command public trust. The coverage characterises the exchange as contentious, with the senator’s remarks suggesting dissatisfaction with how the former executive addressed the issue. The reports all describe the same core sequence: the senator raises concerns or a question relating to trust in big consultancy firms, the former KPMG chief responds, and the senator reacts strongly to that answer. While the articles differ in their framing and wording, they converge on the central point that the incident occurs during a federal inquiry and involves a former senior KPMG figure discussing public trust in large consultancy organisations. The reports do not provide additional, consistent detail on the substance of the former executive’s response beyond the senator’s stated reaction and the overall tone of the exchange.