Bill Shorten hired a speechwriter for $600,000 of taxpayer cash despite only giving 28 speeches since 2022

Public Services Minister Bill Shorten had a personal speechwriter on a contract reportedly worth $300,000 a year for two years, a Senate hearing has heard.

The committee heard that an “experienced” and “versatile” communications professional from government agency Services Australia was given a $300,000 one-year contract to write speeches for Mr Shorten, which was later extended to two years.

Services Australia deputy chief executive Susie Smith, who did not confirm the cost of the deal, said the agency had not prepared any speeches for the minister “in the last 12 months”.

Bill Shorten hired the speechwriter for the whopping sum of $300,000 a year for two years, despite already having staff in his department who could do the job

Liberal Senator Linda Reynolds asked why Mr Shorten, who has access to senior department staff to prepare speeches, needs a speechwriter.

“Do you know why this additional $600,000 contract was necessary?” asked Senator Reynolds.

“I can’t answer that,” Mrs. Smith replied.

Fellow Liberal senator Maria Kovacic said it “appears” Mr Shorten had personally requested the speechwriter, despite the agency employing 201 staff in the communications unit, including speechwriters.

Liberal Senator Maria Kovacic said it “appears” Mr Shorten had personally requested the speechwriter

Linda Reynolds said in the Senate estimate that she was “in the wrong game,” referring to the speechwriter’s pay package

She said it was “unbelievable” after Ms Smith confirmed the typical salary for a speechwriter considered among the “best of the best” is around $140,000 a year.

“To your knowledge, has the department ever previously proposed to a minister that they arrange a contract worth $300,000 per year for a speechwriter to assist them?” asked Senator Kovacic.

“Not that I know of,” said Mrs. Smith.

“We’re clearly in the wrong business,” Senator Reynolds later exclaimed.

The opposition spokesman on government waste reduction, James Stevens, slammed Mr Shorten for hiring Julieanne Stewart.

Julianne Stewart was hired by Services Australia to write Mr Shorten’s speeches

He said the department’s website showed Mr Shorten had made 28 speeches since taking office in 2022.

“If Ms. Stewart were to write each of these speeches, it would amount to over $22,000 per speech,” Mr. Steven said.

“Australians struggling to pay their ever-increasing mortgages, rents, electricity bills and groceries would be shocked if their government spent taxpayers’ money in this way.”

A spokesperson for Mr Shorten’s office was contacted for comment.