Labor is scathing of the Abbott government's decision to give former Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella a top job at Australia's largest specialised defence shipbuilder.
Ms Mirabella - the only Liberal MP to lose her seat at the September election - has been named one of three new board members at ASC Pty Ltd, previously known as the Australian Submarine Corporation.
Her legal background and extensive experience working with the manufacturing industry were cited as justification for the posting to the government-owned company.
But the opposition is crying foul about the appointment, especially after the decision to recall former Victorian Labor premier Steve Bracks from a plum posting to New York.
Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen questioned Ms Mirabella's qualifications for the role.
"What does she understand about the Australian Submarine Corporation which other eminently qualified people from industry couldn't have contributed?," he told ABC television on Wednesday.
Mr Bowen said Labor had appointed people from "right across the board" to senior positions, including former Liberal leader Brendan Nelson to a diplomatic posting.
The fact this announcement was made late in the afternoon on a busy news day, when Australia had won the Ashes and the government was involved in the mid-year economic review, spoke volumes, he said.
"Says to me, they're not particularly proud of the appointment either," Mr Bowen said.
