Former Queensland MP Stuart Robert has been referred to the anti-corruption commission.

A parliamentary investigation delving into ties between the former cabinet minister and a Canberra lobbying firm, along with the subsequent awarding of government contracts, has urged the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) to take over the case.

Mr Robert faces allegations of exploiting his role as a senior minister to assist lobbying firm Synergy 360 in obtaining lucrative taxpayer contracts with Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA). 

Claims heard by the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA) suggest the firm proposed funnelling money to Mr Robert through a separate entity.

“In light of the serious and systemic nature of the allegations, an agency with compulsory questioning, and document gathering and investigatory powers should take up the matter so that these questions may be properly assessed,” committee chair Julian Hill told parliament.

“A referral to the National Anti-Corruption Commission, the NACC, by a parliamentary committee should never be made lightly and certainly is not done so here.

“In these circumstances, however, there appears no other appropriate course of action.”

Mr Robert has refuted the accusations, criticising the referral to the corruption watchdog. 

“A Labor-dominated committee using parliamentary privilege and process to even up political scores and using the NACC as a political weapon - who would have thought?” Mr Robert told the ABC.

Mr Hill insisted that further scrutiny was warranted.

“Concerning evidence has been received by the committee regarding serious allegations and questions about financial impropriety, improper relationships and undisclosed conflicts of interests with parties receiving contracts from the Commonwealth,” he told parliament.

“Some matters raised in the allegations were established in public hearings, and corroborated by other evidence, although many remain unresolved.”

The retired MP claims the committee is relying on stolen emails and an incoherent testimony, which was contradicted by other witnesses and documents. 

In March, a review commissioned by current Government Services Minister Bill Shorten, conducted by former public service head Ian Watt, found that contracts associated with Mr Robert and Synergy 360, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars, displayed poor value for money and potential conflicts of interest.

Coalition members of the JCPAA expressed support for referring the case to the NACC but criticised Mr Hill's language, alleging an attempt to influence the NACC and politicise the allegations.

Synergy 360 CEO David Milo vehemently denied any intention to funnel money to Mr. Robert and welcomed the NACC referral, pledging full cooperation. He had previously referred the matter to the NACC upon its inauguration.

It is the first time a parliamentary committee has recommended such a referral to the NACC since the agency's establishment on July 1.

Since its inception, the NACC has received 908 referrals, with 310 dismissed for various reasons, such as not involving a Commonwealth public official or lacking corruption-related issues. The NACC is currently considering launching five more investigations.