The Victorian Bar says engaging barristers rather than consultants would be cheaper and help overcome issues of accountability and breach of trust.
The Victorian Bar has called on the federal government to hire “individual experts” such as barristers, rather than large law and accounting firms, to overcome “issues of cost, accountability and risks of breaches of confidence and trust”.
The guidelines fail to recognise the cost-effectiveness, expertise and ethical benefit of retaining barristers and should be changed, it said.Because of their strict ethical and professional duties, independence and expertise, barristers are “better aligned with the interests of government clients”, according to the submission.
The Bar said the quality and cost-effectiveness of large-firm advice was susceptible to influence by firms’ need to “maintain ongoing and long-term relationships with the government client” with profit as a primary motive. By contrast, in Australia, state-based lawyers’ authorities do not regulate non-legal professional activity, and personnel in large MDPs can be subject to differing regulatory regimes, or none at all, depending on their profession.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
PwC scandal: PCAOB investigating PwC Australia over tax leaksThe powerful US Public Company Accounting Oversight Board is investigating the Australian tax leaks scandal, bringing increased risk to PwC’s global operations.
Read more »
PwC scandal: Big four audit, consulting model questioned in tax leaks inquiryThe argument that the major accounting firms need access to specialised skills within their consulting businesses to deliver quality audits has been questioned at a Senate inquiry.
Read more »
Warning of billion-dollar hit to state revenues after high court strikes down Victorian EV taxNSW premier Chris Minns says ruling over electric vehicle charge is ‘complex’ as governments scramble to understand its impact
Read more »
John Pesutto’s position on Victorian Treaty questionedVictorian Liberal leader John Pesutto has adopted a 'wait and see' approach before deciding whether to support the next steps in Victoria's Treaty process.
Read more »
Victorian supermarkets lose more than $300k in goods stolen for resaleNine people have been arrested in an investigation into the crime syndicate, which allegedly steals items from major supermarket chains and sells them to small businesses for less than their retail price.
Read more »