The Australian government is considering taking criminal action against one of the world’s largest consulting firms PriceWaterhouseCooper (PwC) following revelations the company used confidential treasury information to create a system that enabled large companies to avoid paying Australia’s newly devised taxes.
Australia’s Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services Stephan Jones has confirmed that the Australian Treasury Department is investigating whether criminal charges should be referred to the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
“We’re all appalled (with) what’s gone on with PwC,” he told ABC’s The Business program.
“We want to send a very clear message to them and anyone else who is providing services to the government: that you cannot breach the trust of the government or the Australian people.
“So if criminal charges or other charges can be laid, we’re looking forward to the outcomes of that investigation from Treasury.”
The comments from the assistant treasurer follow remarks from Treasurer Jim Chalmers, which signalled that the federal government would be taking further action on May 22.
