David Shoebridge questions AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw over ties to PwC partner

Australian Federal Police commissioner Reece Kershaw is in the senator's firing line over his personal friendship with PwC partner, and former NSW police commissioner, Mick Fuller.

Senator Shoebridge called for the federal police boss to explain why he hadn't declared a conflict of interest while negotiating a consulting contract with the firm.

The two had meetings, including an "introductory" chat to determine whether PwC could do the work the AFP needed.

An AFP spokesperson said it "categorically rejects" the negative assertions made by the Greens senator.

It comes as Senate committee handed down a bruising assessment of the firm following the scandal, accusing them of a "calculated breach of trust".

New documents, released to the Senate on Wednesday evening, show the top cop had received a text message from Mr Fuller the day the consulting giant's scandal was referred to federal police for a potential investigation.

"Just saw news re referral. Will give you some space so not too [sic] complicate your life," Mr Fuller's message on May 24 said.

"Ok thx mate," Mr Kershaw replied.

Mr Kershaw previously told a Senate estimates committee Mr Fuller had sent him a single text message since the PwC scandal broke, which he said revealed the former NSW cop had been "disappointed" in the firm.

He added Mr Fuller was a friend but that he considered all police commissioners, including those who had retired, friends.

In publishing the documents, the federal government described releasing all private communications between Mr Fuller and Mr Kershaw sent from from July 1, 2022 as being "extraordinary" in scope.

"The production of these documents could unreasonably infringe the privacy of individuals and would not be in the public interest," a letter from Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said.

Just two text messages, including another sent by Mr Fuller in July 2022 about an upcoming meeting between the two, were released.

Senator Shoebridge said the government should release all communications between the two for transparency.

"We say to the government, show the public the full extent of the relationship, show the Senate the full extent of the relationship," he said.

"For too long PwC has been having these private meetings with government taking hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars in contract after contract and no one's any the wiser. Well, we're finally getting the truth."

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The documents also reveal details of meetings between Mr Kershaw and Mr Fuller and other AFP officers and PwC staff in relation to conducting an independent review of its ACT Policing arm.

An "introductory meeting" was held on July 28, 2022 to help inform PwC whether it had the capability to undertake the work. No meeting minutes were taken.

A follow up meeting between Mr Kershaw and Mr Fuller occurred on September 5, 2022 to set the direction of the review.

Mr Kershaw had told the estimates committee in May he hadn't put in a conflict of interest declaration in regards to his ties to the PwC partner but would not reveal why.

Mr Kershaw said he had the "utmost confidence" the right systems were in place to avoid any conflict of interest.

AFP chief operating officer Charlotte Tressler said at the time it was important someone with the requisite policing experience, like Mr Fuller, was chosen "in order to get insights that we required".

"As stated, the commissioner did not do the procurement. It was in compliance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules," she said.

"[Mick Fuller] was engaged, and PwC was engaged, through the management advisory services panel. PwC were selected based on that panel and value for money that had been determined through that panel arrangement."

Senator Shoebridge on Wednesday night said there needed to be further interrogation into the matter.

"Do we need to continue this investigation? Absolutely. Do we need to spillover hearing on this? 100 per cent," he said.

The Canberra Times asked the AFP whether Mr Kershaw had since declared a conflict of interest, whether there had been any complaints about the ACT Policing review tender process, and how it will ensure no conflicts of interest arise during its consideration of the PwC tax confidentiality breach.

A spokesperson responded the AFP "categorically rejects the assertions made".