The Abbott government spent $85,000 to produce videos promoting its infrastructure package but the main clip has been viewed just 2,358 times on YouTube, a Senate estimates committee has heard.



By contrast, a Guardian Australia video of Labor's transport spokesman, Anthony Albanese, using a whiteboard to denounce the government's package received more than 60,000 hits.

The secretary of the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Mike Mrdak, confirmed that he had watched Albanese's video.

"I can certainly vouch for the accuracy of the material in the departmental video; I can't say the same for Mr Albanese's presentation," Mrdak said on Monday.

Labor's deputy Senate leader, Stephen Conroy, pursued departmental chiefs over two contracts with Silversun Pictures he said were worth $35,000 and $50,000.

Mrdak said the the government had initially sought a video on western Sydney infrastructure and "subsequently it was decided to broaden the presentation to what would be included in the forthcoming budget".

The exact cost of the contracts was yet to be finalised and may be less than the $85,000, he indicated. Mrdak said ministers intended to use the video presentation in the future.

The secretary also downplayed the fact the government video was published on the afternoon before the budget was released.

Mrdak confirmed it was published before the treasurer, Joe Hockey, began his budget speech, but added: “I don’t know if I would characterise the video as budget information.”

Conroy said the government’s video production cost the equivalent of $37 per view.