Politicians from all major parties have accused PwC of a “calculated breach of trust” by covering up and attempting to minimise the seriousness of the tax leak scandal and urged the accounting giant to co-operate fully with all investigations.
In a joint report, Coalition, Labor and Greens senators said PwC engaged in unethical behaviour, first by claiming legal professional privilege over tens of thousands of documents, and then through failing to report a serious breach of confidentiality despite having a legal obligation to do so.Aresna Villanueva
A few months later, it emerged that more than 50 PwC staff, including in the company’s overseas operations, were either directly involved or had knowledge of the leak.Greens senator Barbara Pocock said PwC partners signed confidentiality agreements and then aggressively sold the government information they gained to clients, earning millions in fees.
The committee report made two recommendations: That PwC co-operate fully with all investigations into the matter, and that the firm be open and honest with Australians, parliament and the international community by publishing detailed information about the PwC personnel involved.Committee chair, Liberal senator Richard Colbeck, said the committee wanted to be careful now a criminal investigation was under way, but its report was deliberate.
“They should be open and honest with the Australian people, the international community, and accurately publish information about who was involved.”Colbeck acknowledged the work of Pocock and Labor senator Deborah O’Neill in helping to bring the scandal to light.
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