A FORMER Labor politician caught up in electoral fraud allegations was appointed to a key job with the new broadband network following a recommendation by Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.

Queenslander Mike Kaiser was appointed in late November to the $450,000-a-year role as head of government relations and external affairs for NBN Co, the government-owned company set up to build the $43 billion broadband network.

The company's chief executive, Mike Quigley, yesterday told a Senate estimates hearing that Mr Kaiser was personally recommended to him by Senator Conroy, and was appointed without any other candidates being considered.

Mr Kaiser, now 46, was elected to the Queensland Parliament in 2000 but chose not to recontest his seat a year later after he was identified for allegedly being a part of electoral registration irregularities in 1986. Mr Kaiser was never charged over electoral fraud offences, which Senator Conroy yesterday described as ''youthful indiscretions''.

Following his time as an MP, Mr Kaiser, an electrical engineering and economics graduate, served as chief of staff to Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and former NSW premier Morris Iemma.