Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says he did not speak to former Labor MP Mike Kaiser before recommending him for a job with the national broadband network (NBN).
Senator Conroy earlier this month admitted recommending Mr Kaiser for a job with the company that will build and operate the NBN.
Mr Kaiser took up the $450,000-a-year job with NBN Co after quitting as Queensland Premier Anna Bligh's chief of staff last year.
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Liberal frontbench senator Michael Ronaldson on Monday asked Senator Conroy for more details about how Mr Kaiser's appointment came about.
'Many conversations'
Senator Conroy said he'd had many discussions with NBN Co's chief executive Mike Quigley on the subject.
"I think Mr Quigley raised with me that they were looking for - in a conversation - I'm just trying to remember if I can identify a date," he told parliament.
"I have many, many conversations with Mr Quigley.
"I'm not actually sure if I could remember a day, but Mr Quigley as he has said, and I have said, he raised with me they were looking for someone, I suggested Mr Kaiser's name.
Referral basis
"Did I speak to Kaiser first, no I don't believe I did."
Senator Conroy said 40 per cent of NBN Co's staff were hired on a referral basis.
"I am perfectly comfortable to support and defend the practices of NBN," he said.
Meanwhile, Liberal backbencher Mary Jo Fisher questioned why Senator Conroy decided to give commercial television networks a $250 million cut in licence fees.
"The government will protect Australian content on commercial television by offering license fee rebates to broadcasters in 2010 and 2011," he said.
'Stuctural challenges'
"The rebates are just one part of a package of measures to address the structural changes facing free-to-air television ... because of the rise of the internet."
Senator Conroy said it cost about $800,000 to create one episode of Australian drama Underbelly, while it was only $100,000 to buy an hour of American sitcom Two and a Half Men.
Australia's licence fees were still the highest in the world, he added.
