The tax watchdog has opened a new round of investigations into both current and former PwC partners. This adds further scrutiny to the ongoing fallout from a high-profile scandal involving the misuse of confidential government tax information. These investigations are intended to examine whether ethical breaches occurred, but they could also delay PwC’s efforts to rebuild trust and move beyond one of its most damaging incidents.
The controversy began when it was revealed that a former PwC partner shared sensitive government briefings with colleagues, who then allegedly used that information to help clients avoid proposed tax changes. This disclosure sparked public backlash, high-level resignations and widespread reform in Australian tax advisory practices. The response led to unprecedented enforcement efforts, drawing in regulators such as the Tax Practitioners Board and the Australian Federal Police for extended investigations.
The Board has completed four of ten planned investigations, finding two current and two former PwC partners in breach of ethical standards. However, the remaining cases continue to draw attention. One former partner is appealing a penalty in Federal Court under confidentiality provisions, while current partners were found to have failed in oversight duties rather than committing direct wrongdoing. Despite the differences, the findings point to governance issues at senior levels.
Larger consequences remain possible, as PwC is still under global review and is progressing with a multi-part internal reform plan. The firm has already executed nearly all of its 47 post-scandal actions, which include publishing audited local accounts and adding independent board members. However, continued regulatory focus, including the latest round of investigations, suggests that the effects of the original breach could linger and influence the firm's recovery and public standing.
