A federal government adviser who is facing claims he obtained doctored figures used by Energy Minister Angus Taylor to attack Sydney's lord mayor will keep his job.

Liberal staffer Josh Manuatu was on Wednesday identified as the person who obtained the false figures that were used in a Daily Telegraph article that criticised Clover Moore.

Liberal staff member Josh Manuatu. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Mr Taylor has previously rejected the suggestion that he or any of his staff changed the document.

He insisted in Parliament that he relied on a document downloaded from the City of Sydney website in which he claimed the council spent $15.9 million on travel for its councillors when the real costs were less than $6000.