By The Financial District
May 25, 20231 min
Australia said that 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, Reuters reported.
Photo Insert: Some lawmakers have called for a total ban on granting the auditor more government contracts.
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 from 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.
"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.