Big four consultants
Big four consulting firms accused of ‘lowball quoting’ to win government contracts
An analysis by the Centre for Public Integrity found taxpayers forked out $1.8 billion more than initially expected for big four consultancy contracts awarded over the past decade.
- by Angus Thompson
Latest
Fear and greed: The consulting sector faces a reckoning
Staff at the biggest firms complain of sexual harassment by untouchable executives and workloads so excessive that some contemplate suicide.
- by Colin Kruger
Public service puts taxpayer billions at risk by fumbling major contracts
The federal government spends about $80 billion a year on contracts. A bipartisan committee says consulting firms, not taxpayers, are benefiting the most under the current system.
- by Shane Wright
Opinion
For subscribers
How the PwC virus infected the industry
With the ground shifting beneath them, the big four consultancy firms are now all very happy with the increased regulatory oversight and turbocharged penalties that are coming down the pike. But then what else could they say?
- by Elizabeth Knight
Exclusive
Home Truths
Consultancy firm boasted ‘unfettered access’ to Defence, national security agencies
Having won tens of millions of dollars worth of consulting work, this Canberra consultancy felt it was in the box seat for plenty more.
- by Nick McKenzie and David Crowe
Opinion
Opinion
The big four are on the nose, but the stench is coming from elsewhere
If the Senate inquiry ends up targeting the practice of consulting instead of the structural rot, government agencies will lose more than the taxpayer gains.
- by Parnell Palme McGuinness
Analysis
PwC tax scandal
Pay, sexual harassment and fraud claims put heat on consulting industry
PwC was not the only one in the firing line this week as a Senate inquiry revealed multimillion-dollar pay packets and a lack of disclosure on wrongdoing.
- by Colin Kruger and Rachel Clun
Queensland government spent $790K on Olympics report from Deloitte
The Queensland state government paid consulting firm Deloitte hundreds of thousands of dollars to decide how it should set up its Olympics delivery authority.
‘Threat to the nation’: Further questions for Deloitte over former partner leaks
A senate committee will consider recalling Deloitte for public questioning after leaked emails came to light involving a former partner from the consulting giant.
- by Rachel Clun
Exclusive
For subscribers
Ex-Deloitte partner used confidential Defence documents to win work for his new business
Controversial consultant David Milo used material he obtained as a partner at Deloitte to further his private interests after he left the firm.
- by Nick McKenzie and David Crowe
Opinion
Commonwealth Games
Government stuff-up or consultant spin: Who’s responsible for the Games debacle?
The internationally embarrassing episode of Victoria ditching the 2026 Commonwealth Games is surely the point at which satire meets reality.
- by Elizabeth Knight