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Government Awards $700,000 to PwC’s Indigenous Consulting
The Federal Government has recently awarded over $700,000 to PwC’s Indigenous Consulting, a subsidiary of the disgraced consultancy PwC Australia, despite ongoing criminal investigations. The contracts were revealed on AusTender, with one being a three-day workshop and the other for strategic planning consultation services costing over $160,000 a month. This move comes as the Department of Finance issued a surprise procurement policy note allowing PwC Australia to resume receiving Federal contracts.
The decision has sparked controversy, with Greens Senator Barbara Pocock criticizing the government for considering payments to PwC after their past misconduct. PwC had previously sold confidential Australian Government tax policy information to multinationals seeking to avoid Australian tax, leading to an effective ban on the firm last year. However, the recent policy note allows PwC Australia to bid for new Commonwealth work starting December 1, 2024.
Despite claims that PwC’s Indigenous Consulting is separate from PwC Australia, questions have been raised about the relationship between the two entities. The move by Finance has raised concerns about the flow of taxpayer funds to PwC Australia’s partners and the lack of transparency in the decision-making process. The ongoing Senate inquiry into consultancies has also highlighted the need for greater accountability and oversight in government procurement practices.
As investigations into PwC’s actions continue, the decision to award contracts to PwC’s Indigenous Consulting has reignited the debate over the firm’s integrity and the government’s handling of the situation. The involvement of former senior ALP staffers in lobbying for PwC Australia further adds to the complexity of the issue. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
