An academic mired in controversy for making racist comments was paid $8250 for his contribution to the federal government's curriculum review.
University of Sydney professor Barry Spurr was suspended last week over emails in which he described Prime Minister Tony Abbott as an "Abo lover" and lashed out out at "Mussies" and "chinky-poos".
The emails emerged after the government released its curriculum review, which Professor Spurr helped advise.
He was one of 16 external experts reviewers Kevin Donnelly and Ken Wiltshire asked to contribute.
A senate committee heard on Wednesday each of those experts were paid $8250 for their reports.
Professor Spurr gave advice on the English curriculum, where the review recommended a greater emphasis be given to Western literature.
Department officials told the committee the independent reviewers chose Professor Spurr to participate.
They didn't know how Professor Wiltshire and Dr Donnelly came to pick him.
"I'm assuming they had consultations and discussions together about those reviewers," associate secretary Tony Cook said.
But they were clear that neither Education Minister Christopher Pyne nor the department had any involvement.
Department chief Lisa Paul emphasised that Professor Spurr was not the only contributor to the review of English curriculum.
All up, the national curriculum review cost $283,157.
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