Ban Consulting Firms Who Breach Public Trust

Consulting firms who leak confidential information and breach public trust should be barred from winning government contracts.

The high-profile scandal involving consulting firm PwC has brought attention to the dodgy dealings of consultancy firms used by the Australian Government.

The Australian Financial Review reported that "PwC Australia charged $2.5 million in fees to advise 14 clients how to side step new multinational tax avoidance laws in 2016, relying on leaked intelligence".

Using confidential government information for private gain raises serious questions about outsourcing core government work to consulting firms who breach public trust.  

The Government must ban consulting firms who leak confidential information and breach public trust. 

ADD YOUR NAME >

 Australia Institute research shows: 

  • Consulting firms use public money and charge exorbitantly for work that is often simplistic, flawed, self-interested or has been specifically commissioned to further the government’s preconceived agenda.
  • Consultant work undermines the skills of the public service by preventing the development of skills and knowledge in-house.
  • Consultants lead to poor government decision making. 
  • Australia needs new guidelines on the use of consultants, a revolving door policy for public servants and capacity building included in consultancy contracts.
  • There must be a Senate standing order for the production of consultants reports in order to hold government and private firms to account. 

For more information see our full submission.

To the Prime Minister of Australia --

Government reliance on consulting firms comes at the expense of responsible governance and the capability of the public service. 

Consulting firms using confidential government information for private gain raises serious questions of integrity. 

We, the undersigned, call for a Government ban on consulting firms who leak confidential information and breach public trust from receiving government contracts or confidential government information.

2,914 signatures
Goal: 5,000 signatures

Will you sign?

: :

:

:

:

:

: :

: :

:

:

: :

:

:

: :

By signing this petition you accept the Australia Institute's Privacy Policy.

Latest supporters

Donna Wileman signed 2023-05-16 06:18:27 +1000
Belinda Smith signed 2023-05-16 06:18:15 +1000
Andrew Kerekes signed 2023-05-16 06:18:00 +1000
Charles Ingle signed 2023-05-16 06:17:37 +1000
Doug Holliday signed 2023-05-16 06:17:12 +1000
Scott McWhirter signed 2023-05-16 06:14:06 +1000
Jessica Chapman signed 2023-05-16 06:12:19 +1000
Barry O'Donnell signed 2023-05-16 06:12:05 +1000
Ron Daniels signed 2023-05-16 06:06:14 +1000
Fran Walder signed 2023-05-16 06:04:45 +1000
Kate Roberts signed 2023-05-16 05:58:51 +1000
Francoise Dupen
Francoise Dupen signed 2023-05-16 05:58:04 +1000
Dave Ross signed 2023-05-16 05:57:35 +1000
Colette Colman signed 2023-05-16 05:56:43 +1000
Stuart Guthrie signed via Prudence Wawn 2023-05-16 05:43:00 +1000
John Elgin signed 2023-05-16 05:21:37 +1000
Ian Atkinson signed 2023-05-16 05:16:02 +1000
Erin O'Donnell signed 2023-05-16 05:02:14 +1000
Richard Casey signed 2023-05-16 05:00:05 +1000
mick lambe signed 2023-05-16 04:30:18 +1000
Valerie Clews signed 2023-05-16 03:43:59 +1000
Charles Harrower signed 2023-05-16 03:43:15 +1000
John Bell signed 2023-05-16 03:36:24 +1000
Kerry Renwick signed 2023-05-16 03:14:57 +1000
Judy Hyde signed 2023-05-16 03:00:03 +1000
Edwina Kay signed 2023-05-16 02:49:40 +1000
Dixi Bankier signed 2023-05-16 01:52:43 +1000
Patricia Haupt signed 2023-05-16 01:48:49 +1000
Jamnes Danenberg signed 2023-05-16 01:47:04 +1000
Beau Raymond signed 2023-05-16 01:39:58 +1000