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The suspension will prevent the firm from obtaining any taxation engagements out of the government for three months.
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NSW government suspends PwC from tax-related contracts
15 June 2023
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The NSW government has suspended PwC from taxation-related contracts for three months in response to the confidentiality breach and current investigations into the firm.
NSW Minister for Finance, Courtney Houssos, said the measures are a proportionate response to the firm’s recently exposed conduct.
The action taken is:
- PwC is suspended for an interim period of three months from obtaining any new engagements within ‘category type 7 - taxation’ of the government’s Performance and Management Services Scheme.
- The government requires PwC to attest that no staff member who was found to have breached confidentiality or misused information as part of work for the Commonwealth Treasury will be involved in any NSW government work.
- The government will continue to review and, where required, strengthen conflict of interest and confidentiality terms for all professional services engagements.
“As additional evidence comes to light, we will continue to toughen our regime and protect the NSW government from this behaviour,” said Ms Houssos.
“Suspending PwC from obtaining new taxation related procurement contracts is a proportionate response and one that safeguards the people of NSW from further exposure to the scandal.”
“Prior to the election, we pledged to overhaul the NSW government’s rules on hiring consultants, toughen up measures that protect against conflicts of interest and reduce spending on consultants and labour hire workers so those funds can be reinvested into essential services.”
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The action came after the state announced it would consider multi-million-dollar fines for individuals and organisations that unlawfully disclosed sensitive or confidential information provided by the government.
“I was appalled by the breach of trust that occurred with the federal government. As additional evidence comes to light we will continue to toughen our regime and protect the NSW community from this behaviour,” said Ms Houssos.
“The Auditor-General has already found that NSW does not procure and manage consultants effectively. I look forward to receiving the inquiry’s recommendations on how to further strengthen our procurement regime to deliver integrity, confidentiality and value-for-money and NSW taxpayers.”
“The inquiry will also inform our Comprehensive Expenditure Review which is identifying savings, including on the government’s spending on consultants.”
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