Two senators spearheading the heavy scrutiny of the consulting sector have blasted the Tax Office’s deal with EY over a former tax partner’s alleged tax exploitation schemes, saying it was a “paltry censure” that let the firm off the hook.

Greens senator Barbara Pocock and Labor’s Deborah O’Neill, who are both members of parliamentary committees scrutinising the accounting and consulting industry following the PwC tax leaks scandal, said the enforceable voluntary undertaking EY entered into with the Australian Taxation Office fell short given the alleged conduct of the former partner.