Libs still gunning for NBN's $450,000-man Kaiser

By James Riley
Thursday, 19 November 2009 08:43

Government Tech Policy

Queensland Liberal frontbencher George Brandis has stepped up Opposition attacks on Government over the $450,000-a-year appointment of former Labor staffer Mike Kaiser to the NBN Company, labelling the decision "disgraceful."

Senator Brandis claimed it is well known that Kaiser is both "a mate and political ally" of Communications Minister Stephen Conroy and that the appointment and salary level were outside of market expectations for a head of government relations.

Until last week Kaiser was Queensland Premier Anna Bligh's chief of staff. He was appointed on Friday by NBN Co executive chairman Mike Quigley as the company’s government relations and external affairs principal.

The Opposition has accused Government of stacking the NBN Co with 'Labor mates' and through the Senate yesterday forced Government to table a document revealing Kaiser’s salary, as well as the extent of Ministerial involvement in the appointment process.

"This is a matter of great concern and what exacerbates our concern is that the Government had to be pressed to reveal these facts," Senator Brandis, the shadow Attorney General told Sky News. "Initially it tried to conceal them."

"It was only after Senator Minchin moved a motion in the Senate requiring the production of the document that contained the contract, a motion which was supported by the minor party, that the Government was forced under pressure to reveal this waste of taxpayer's money on a Labor mate," he said.

Government has maintained that Kaiser's appointment was a matter for the NBN Company, and although it had been made aware of the appointment before it was announced, the Government was not involved in the decision.

Small Business Minister Craig Emerson said told Sky News there had been a rigorous assessment process and that it was simply a fact of life that people in the corporate world were paid more than those in the public sector.