Ex-PwC partners ‘given no chance to respond’ to tax leaks reports
Former partners interviewed by external lawyers investigating PwC Australia’s tax leaks scandal complain they have not been directly asked to respond to any allegations they might be subject to when the firm releases its response to the scandal on Wednesday.
The former personnel are concerned that the firm will include information about them based on witnesses interviewed by lawyers from Allens/Linklaters or by former Telstra chief executive Ziggy Switkowski without being given the chance to challenge any unflattering or critical assertions.
Kevin Burrowes is the new chief executive for PwC Australia.
They pointed to a NSW Supreme Court ruling that PwC had failed to follow a proper process when it attempted to fire partner Richard Gregg on July 3 while it was removing eight other partners relating to the tax leaks matter.
PwC is widely expected to release Dr Switkowski’s report on PwC’s culture, governance and accountability on Wednesday, and might also release other related material based on the legal reports.
The firm commissioned the Switkowski and legal reports in response to revelations in The Australian Financial Review about the extent of the tax leaks. The scandal involved former partner Peter Collins sharing confidential tax information with PwC personnel who then used it to help clients sidestep tax laws.
It is not clear whether any current or former partners will be identified in the material expected to be released on Wednesday. The firm declined to comment on the former insiders’ claims.
The Financial Review has been told that any PwC leaders identified as part of the investigation were given several opportunities to attend interviews with PwC Australia, PwC global and the firm’s lawyers over the past five
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