Tasmania Police has terminated a $6 million contract with consulting giant KPMG, two years after the firm was engaged to overhaul the force’s “clunky” intelligence system. The cancellation leaves police still grappling with outdated technology and raises questions about the expenditure of public funds, as neither Tasmania Police nor KPMG have offered an explanation for the contract’s abrupt end.
The initial agreement aimed to modernise the intelligence gathering and analysis capabilities for officers who have long complained about the inefficiency of their current systems. Despite the significant investment and two years of work, the project has evidently failed to deliver, resulting in the contract’s termination. The lack of transparency surrounding the decision has drawn criticism, with calls for greater accountability regarding large government contracts and their outcomes. The state government is yet to comment on the implications for police operations or the future of the intelligence system upgrade.
Meanwhile, an inquest has officially opened into the sudden death of former Cambridge University professor Jason Arday. The proceedings commenced today, Thursday, August 27, 2026, following the academic’s unexpected passing weeks ago, which had been preceded by an intense period of media scrutiny.
Professor Arday, a highly respected figure in academia, had garnered significant public attention in the lead-up to his death. The opening of the inquest comes just a day before the scheduled UK release of his highly anticipated memoir, a work expected to shed further light on his remarkable life and career. The timing adds a poignant layer to the tragic circumstances, as the public and his colleagues grapple with his loss while simultaneously preparing to engage with his final written reflections. The inquest is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding his death, with further details anticipated as proceedings continue.