Australia says PwC leak of government tax documents may be referred to police
Reuters
Published May 21, 2023 10:25PM ET
Updated May 22, 2023 12:45AM ET
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia said on Monday the government will take further steps in response to the leak of government tax plans by accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and that the matter could be referred to the Australian Federal Police.
The government, a PwC Australia client, has accused the firm of sharing confidential information about new anti-tax avoidance measures with its corporate customers to win more business in what it has called a major breach of trust.
PwC Australia's CEO stepped down this month and the firm has said it is "committed to learning for our mistakes".
"We've got Treasury looking at an investigation into what has occurred, and looking at whether criminal charges should be referred to the AFP," Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services Stephen Jones told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Some lawmakers have called for a total ban on granting the auditor more government contracts.
PwC declined comment on Monday.
"I think the PwC experience has been deeply, deeply troubling and we've already taken some steps but we will be taking further steps," Treasurer Jim Chalmers also told ABC Radio in an interview on Monday.
"I will have more to say about how we crack down on this behaviour, which is inexcusable, frankly," he said.
PwC said this month that former Telstra (OTC:TLGPY) and Optus CEO Ziggy Switkowski will lead an independent review into the leak and will report his findings and recommendations in September.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.