With the revelations that large consultancy firm, PwC, had misused government information for commercial gain, The Echo asked local federal MP, Justine Elliot, whether she supports a ‘royal commission into the consulting industry and to formally ban firms that breach legal and ethical standards?’
According to www.theguardian.com, a former KPMG partner is asking for just that.
Misuse of government information
Another large consultancy, Deloitte, has also admitted misuse of government information.
Mrs Elliot told The Echo ‘The Albanese government is horrified about the PwC revelations. Treasury has referred the matter to the AFP and it is currently under investigation.’
As way of background, she says ‘The Department of Finance has already taken a number of actions under the Commonwealth Procurement Framework to strengthen our systems following the disclosure of the PwC emails’
‘Secretaries have been reminded that ethical behaviour must be taken into account as part of the value for money assessments which underpin decisions under the procurement framework.
‘PwC has been directed to stand down employees who were involved in, or had knowledge of, the tax matters from government contracts, until the Switkowski investigation is completed, and the department is satisfied that the direction can be lifted.
New clauses
‘New clauses will be included into the standard government procurement contracts to further strengthen the ability of the government to cancel these contracts in response to such behaviour in the future.’
” misused government information for commercial gain” ! ? ……Hello this is espionage !
“Espionage focuses on gathering non-public information through covert means. Classified information is kept secret in the first place because its disclosure might harm national security, jeopardise the country’s economic well-being or damage international relations.”
Standing down employees, just doesn’t cut it. The penalties involved here are up to twenty five years gaol. This is apart from the breaking of the official secrets act.
These practices have been the standard business practices of this whole industry.
Do Australian ‘law enforcement ‘ agencies have the guts to call it what it is and prosecute all those involved in this scam, including and especially the CEO’s , or is it another case like Gladys the corrupt politician who stole at least six million dollars but will not be prosecute due to ‘political’ considerations?
This country is sicker by the day, G”)
Ken, the biggest espionage agent in the game is…our very own government.
The 2004 Greater Sunrise oil negotiation spy scandal of the Australian Government on Timor-Leste.
No one from the government has been held to account but our magnificent government were mighty quick to go after the whistleblower and his lawyer for exposing this infamous spying scandal.
Sick fellow my country.
Yes , we all realise our government is corrupt !
I think that goes without saying, but the point I was trying to make is that this is the most hallowed of all, The Private Financial Industry, who are now shown to be, in collusion with Government and foreign powers, in trading Australia’s official secrets for financial gain. !!!!!!!!!
As far as the 2004 Greater Sunrise oil negotiations are concerned there is nothing surprising about a government engaging in espionage FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE NATION. That is standard practice by all countries, but you are totally right to point out the disgusting behaviour toward those who expose the government’s nefarious dealings ( think Julian Assange ).
Sick, Sad World. G”)