Firm advised by Christopher Pyne wins federal government grants worth almost $7m

Saber Astronautics chief says former defence minister does not lobby on their behalf and there is no conflict of interest'

A firm that uses former defence minister Christopher Pyne as a strategic advisor won two federal government grants worth almost $7m to help develop Australia's space capabilities, prompting questions from Labor.

Saber Astronautics, an Australian space operations company, was named as the recipient of two government grants in June, including a $6m grant awarded by the Australian Space Agency to establish a mission control centre in Adelaide.