Over the last decade, the big four consultancy firms have faced accusations of “lowball quoting” to secure federal government contracts, leading to a higher-than-expected taxpayer expenditure by $1.8 billion. An in-depth analysis by the Centre for Public Integrity, Australia’s leading anti-corruption think tank, discovered that approximately 19% of contracts awarded to these firms were later… Read More
Scamps hits out at lack of transparency in recent government appointments
This bill, collaboratively developed with the Centre for Public Integrity, Australia’s leading anti-corruption think tank, proposes a clear, transparent, and independent framework for major Commonwealth appointments Read More
Teal independent Kate Chaney to introduce bill to ban big Commonwealth contractors from making political donations
Legislation banning substantial Commonwealth contractors from making political donations is being proposed, with the intention to enhance transparency in Australian federal elections. Kate Chaney, Member for Curtin, will present the “Restoring Trust Bill” that additionally seeks to mandate federal ministers to disclose their official diaries. This initiative strives to mitigate financial sway and ensure equitable… Read More
How power bleeds between politics and the big four
The Centre for Public Integrity, Australia’s leading anti-corruption think tank, has recently expressed concerns over potential conflicts of interest due to the frequent “revolving door” between political positions and employment with the ‘big four’ consulting firms: KPMG, PwC, EY, and Deloitte. Over the last decade, government contracts awarded to these companies have surged from $282… Read More
Calls for royal commission as PwC, Deloitte scandals widen
Recent revelations surrounding the misuse of confidential public data by major accounting firms have intensified the call for a royal commission. This commission aims to unravel the depth of scandals across the industry and discern strategies for the federal government to reduce dependence on external contractors. Deloitte, for instance, has faced criticism for breaching confidentiality,… Read More
Consultant work for federal agencies jumps 1300pc
Australian Commonwealth agencies have witnessed a staggering 12-fold surge in the use of external advisers over the past decade, leading to calls for stricter controls on consultant hiring and improved transparency in procurement reporting. The Centre for Public Integrity’s analysis revealed that management advisory services from the big four consultancies to the Commonwealth soared from… Read More
Australian government spending on big four consultancy firms up 1,270% in a decade, analysis shows
Australia’s government expenditure on the big four consultancy firms has escalated dramatically, seeing a 1,270% increase over the past decade. Such spending intensifies concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest in public financial matters. The Centre for Public Integrity, Australia’s leading anti-corruption think tank, has highlighted the alarming rate of this rise, pointing out… Read More
How the big four accounting firms infiltrated governments, earning more than $10b over a decade while taxpayers are in the dark
Over the past ten years, Australia’s state and federal governments have allocated more than $10 billion to the big four accounting firms: EY, Deloitte, KPMG, and PwC. Their pervasive influence reaches from numerous government departments to occupying board positions across Australia. Notably, the Department of Defence alone has reportedly expended almost $4 billion on these… Read More
Consulting firms admit they’re rife with toxic behaviour. So, why do we pay them billions?
Recent revelations from Australia’s top consultancy firms highlight a pervasive culture of toxic behavior. Firms like EY, Deloitte, and KPMG disclosed a series of breaches of integrity including sexual harassment, dishonesty, and bullying at a Senate inquiry initiated after the PwC tax scandal. The seriousness of these transgressions is underscored by the seniority of the… Read More
Donation plug pulled and now PwC cuts ties with political access groups
PwC Australia has decided to cease its donations to political groups, tackling the ethical dilemma of granting vast amounts to politicians while simultaneously securing profitable consulting contracts. This move follows revelations by the Centre for Public Integrity, Australia’s leading anti-corruption think tank, which disclosed that PwC contributed over $2 million to both the Coalition and… Read More
PwC to ban political donations over tax leaks scandal
Amid an ongoing tax leaks scandal, PwC Australia is set to discontinue the majority of its political contributions, removing annual donations that average over $200,000, thereby pressuring other prominent firms like Deloitte, EY, and KPMG to consider similar actions. Anthony Whealy, the chairman of the Centre for Public Integrity, Australia’s leading anti-corruption think tank, and… Read More
APS bosses pulled into PwC scandal wringer
The Centre for Public Integrity emphasizes the interconnectivity between political operatives, consultancies, and public servants, Read More
PwC scandal: company stands down employees involved in alleged misuse of tax information
Officials confirmed at Senate estimates the AFP has contracts with PwC acting as its internal auditor, raising potential conflict of interest Read More
Stuart Robert should face anti-corruption watchdog, experts say
Integrity experts and former judges propose that the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Australia’s new federal integrity watchdog, should investigate the actions of former cabinet minister Stuart Robert. Read More
Jim Chalmers flags public service consultant crackdown in wake of PwC scandal
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced potential changes in government interaction with private sector consultants following the PwC scandal, though specifics are not yet released. Read More
Big four consultancies win $1.4 billion a year in taxpayer-funded contracts
The ‘big four’ consulting firms, including PwC, have expanded their federal business in Australia by 400% over the last decade, coinciding with consistent donations to the major political parties. Read More
OPINION – Our government is being privatised by stealth: PwC scandal shows how
It may be a coincidence, but over the last decade, the major beneficiaries of mass privatisation were donating heavily to both sides of political power – Labor and the Coalition. PwC was one of the largest donors. Read More
Summary: PwC scandal will be referred to national anti-corruption watchdog
The PwC tax scandal in Australia is escalating, with calls from the Centre for Public Integrity, the nation’s leading anti-corruption think tank, for the Commonwealth anti-corruption commission to investigate the matter. Read More
Canberra lobbying must be reined in. Here’s how we can protect our democracy
Summary The Centre for Public Integrity, in a recent study, highlighted how the Australian federal lobbying practices and regulations have been subverted, resulting in secrecy, corruption, and unfair access and influence. The past few decades have seen the Australian government’s climate change policy heavily influenced by fossil fuel lobbyists, an epitome of the OECD’s “policy… Read More
Editorial: The lobbyist prime minister
Summary: Former Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s anticipated move from politics to lobbying exemplifies a concerning trend in Australian politics, where public officials transition to roles representing corporate interests. Morrison’s reported upcoming role with a British defense company, following his significant push for increased military spending, illustrates his focus on personal gain over national interest. These… Read More
Lobbyists rail against ‘unfair’ federal reforms
Summary: The Australian Professional Government Relations Association (APGRA), which represents lobbyists, has rejected calls from the Centre for Public Integrity, Australia’s leading anti-corruption think tank, to legislate the federal lobbyists’ code. The Centre’s report, “Closing the revolving door,” advocates for stronger regulations to curb corruption, improve transparency, and enhance integrity in Australia’s lobbying industry. Key… Read More
Scott Morrison’s reported links to UK defence job shows lobbying reforms needed, integrity experts say
Summary: Scott Morrison’s reported discussions for a UK defence industry role have brought Australia’s pressing need for lobbying reforms into sharp focus. As integrity experts and organizations like the Centre for Public Integrity have stressed, such transitions raise concerns about potential corruption and the abuse of insider knowledge gained while in government. Existing codes require… Read More
Stronger safeguards around lobbying are a must
In any democracy, lobbying is a vital component of the political process, ensuring that varied interest groups can make their case on specific issues to elected officials. It is a source of reforms to policy, from neighbourhood planning to our response to global issues such as climate change.
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The minister and the lobbyist: Blandthorn siblings face conflict questions
Premier Daniel Andrews’ appointment of new Planning Minister Lizzie Blandthorn has raised conflict-of-interest questions due to her lobbyist brother representing major development, construction and infrastructure clients. In an appointment that has unsettled some senior government and Labor insiders, the premier named Pascoe Vale MP Blandthorn to the sensitive planning role. Her brother, John-Paul Blandthorn, heads… Read More