PwC chief executive Tom Seymour says a Voice to Parliament will improve Indigenous spending

The head of one of Australia’s biggest firms is throwing his support behind the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, saying it will improve governments’ poor track record with taxpayer funds.

One of Australia’s top executives is throwing his support behind the Indigenous Voice to Parliament, arguing the efficiency gains in government spending would be even more important than the symbolism of constitutional recognition.

PwC Australia chief executive Tom Seymour said his 10,000-strong company was a “vocal supporter” of the referendum’s ‘Yes’ campaign.

Above and beyond a sense of “it’s the right thing to do”, Mr Seymour argued the Voice would mean better outcomes for taxpayer dollars.

“For the money we spend as a country on improving Indigenous affairs, you look back at the last 100 years and you’d say our track record of success isn’t great,” he said.

PwC Australia chief executive Tom Seymour says a Voice to Parliament would improve governments’ poor track record of spending on Indigenous affairs. Picture: Floss Adams

The Northern Territory receives the largest share of federal funding of any state or territory relative to population, with the money largely aimed at improving the shocking conditions faced by many First Nations people.

At almost $5 for every dollar of GST contributed to the national coffers, it is twice as much as that given to the second highest, Tasmania.

Yet almost 45 per cent of Indigenous Territorians live below the poverty line, as progress on several Closing the Gap targets is stalling or going backwards.

Mr Seymour said the Voice would help government spending create a difference on the ground.

“You always get better outcomes if you engage the constituent community in which you’re working with and bring them into the solution,” he said.

“Is there a risk that it’s inefficient and doesn’t work? For sure, like everything, there’s always that risk.

“But over time, if you engage people and give them a say in their own destiny I think you make better decisions,” he said.

PwC Australia team members Jenny Scott, Michael McGregor, Tom Seymour, Sean O’Meara and Lauren McNamara standing in the new Darwin office. Picture: Floss Adams

Mr Seymour made a comparison to a representative council of staff he met with each month to discuss issues affecting the business and workforce.

“It gives me better insight,” he said.

“They don’t always agree, and you’re not always going to have to do what they say.”

PwC has recently increased its investment in the Top End, tipping the region as a strategic player in Australia’s future.

Part of that, Mr Seymour believed, would be “change for the better in terms of economic self determination and prosperity for Indigenous Australians” alongside the referendum.

“It’s another reason this is a strategic location to invest in because we think that will become a bigger driver, frankly, in the years ahead.”

PwC’s Indigenous Consulting team has grown to 12 staff in the Territory since 2013, seven of whom are Indigenous.

Originally published as PwC chief executive Tom Seymour says a Voice to Parliament will improve Indigenous spending