Five ways to stop consultancy firms betraying us

Policymakers in Canberra have tools available to them to place accounting firms like KPMG, PwC, EY, and Deloitte under much greater scrutiny, potentially mitigating the risks associated with their significant influence on government decisions. By leveraging these tools, policymakers can better monitor the activities of these firms and ensure that their interests are aligned with the public good. This could involve implementing stricter disclosure requirements, increasing transparency around consultancy contracts, and establishing clearer guidelines for the role of external advisors in the policymaking process. Furthermore, policymakers could also consider establishing an independent review body to oversee the activities of consultancy firms and provide a check on their influence. By taking these steps, policymakers can reduce the risk of consultancy firms betraying the public trust and ensure that their advice is guided by a commitment to the public interest rather than commercial gain.