The Department of Finance has:

“concluded that PwC is an organisation now that we are comfortable with the Government being able to consider engaging with”.

They say PwC is now an organisation that “is very different from the organisation that led to the position that we have been in.”

Notice the careful language to avoid saying it is that PwC actually did – which is to misuse government information to help multinational corporations avoid paying taxes in Australia.

An amnesty for PwC is out of step with public opinion – the Australia Institute’s polling research found four-in-five Australians (79%) wanted consulting firm PwC banned from receiving new government work, including nearly half who backed a permanent ban. Over 60% wanted a ban of five years or more, versus just 17% who thought a ban of five years or less was appropriate.

One of the reasons why government departments pay over the odds for consultants is that they can shift blame. But by giving PwC the seal of approval, the Department of Finance is tying its reputation to the dodgy consulting firm. 

Let’s see if PwC repays the trust that has been placed in it.