Former ABC chairman Justin Milne wanted to hire pop queen Kylie Minogue to sing about the public broadcaster as part of a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign.

Multiple sources have told Fairfax Media the idea was shot down by senior ABC management, including former managing director Michelle Guthrie, because the singer's $750,000 price tag was deemed too expensive.

Ms Guthrie is understood to have "hit the roof" when she discovered the proposal.

Former ABC chairman Justin Milne thought it would have been "cool" for Kylie Minogue to front a PR blitz for the broadcaster. Credit:Steven Siewert, AAP

The revelation exposes another source of tension at the highest levels of the ABC, with those close to Ms Guthrie insisting Mr Milne pushed for Minogue's involvement behind her back.