Scott Morrison has sought to distance himself from $1.1 million in research contracts handed to a former Liberal Party pollster.
Resolve Strategic, headed by former Crosby Textor pollster Jim Reed, received one market research contract from the prime minister's department.
On the department's recommendation, Treasury then commissioned its owned taxpayer-funded research from the firm.
The reports were provided to the offices of the prime minister and treasurer and informed a $15 million public advertising campaign on the coronavirus economic recovery.
Describing Mr Reed as a long-term Liberal mate, Deputy Opposition Leader Richard Marles accused the prime minister of treating taxpayers' money as his own.
Mr Morrison flatly rejected the assertion.
"All these arrangements are done by the department under the appropriate processes," he told Question Time on Monday.
Australian Associated Press
