Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last night, the Finance and Public Administration References Committee tabled its report, PwC: a calculated breach of trust. I have to say that I was somewhat bemused to see PwC's response to that report in the media overnight. I think it continues to demonstrate the same approach that they've been demonstrating for a period of time. In the Australian and a number of other newspapers, PwC are quoted as saying:

A PwC spokesman said the firm thanked the Senate "for its important work".

Seriously! That's nice! It goes on to say that they said:

"We acknowledge today's interim report. We will carefully consider its contents and await the government's response."

Have they not read the report? It's 16 pages and there is no recommendation in the report directed to the government. It is all directed to PwC. I would suggest that whoever PwC got to write their statement in response to the report not be contracted to do that work again.

This is about something very simple: co-operate with the Tax Practitioners Board and the AFP; be upfront with the Australian community and the international community about the deception that you undertook as a part of the consultations with respect to tax reform in this country; and look after your people. How hard can it be? It's about time PwC stepped up.