The former attorney-general, Mark Dreyfus, has warned the new government not to compromise national security for trade, as it pushes ahead with a review of the ban on Huawei's involvement in building the national broadband network.

His comments came as the Chinese telco's case to pitch for work in the $30 billion-plus high-speed network was helped by the Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, who described the Chinese technology company as a "very credible business".

While Mr Turnbull confirmed he would review the government ban on Huawei's involvement in the network, he has not set a timetable.

While Mr Turnbull confirmed he would review the government ban on Huawei's involvement in the network, he has not set a timetable.

But Mr Dreyfus, who served as attorney-general for seven months this year, suggested that Huawei was being used as a bargaining chip to secure a trade deal with China.