Shorten denies deal with construction firm

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten denies he negotiated a side deal with a construction firm when he was head of the Australian Workers Union.

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. Source: AAP

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has denied "full stop" he negotiated a $100,000 side deal with a construction firm when head of the Australian Workers Union.

A former head of industrial relations with John Holland has told the federal royal commission into trade union corruption Mr Shorten suggested the company pay for the salary and car of a union organiser over the life of the Eastlink freeway project.

"I did not strike any agreement of the nature which you are raising, full stop," he told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.