Her elevation to the board of ASC Pty Ltd, formerly the Australian Submarine Corporation, for three years, was announced by Finance Minister Mathias Cormann.

Mrs Mirabella will be paid $71,680 a year.

“With her legal background, and her extensive experience working with the manufacturing industry, Mrs Mirabella will make a valuable contribution to the board,” Senator Cormann said.

Mrs Mirabella was the Coalition’s spokeswoman for innovation, industry and science before losing Indi to independent Cathy McGowan in September.

Her appointment comes after Prime Minister Tony Abbott told News Limited last month that he had no plans to employ his former parliamentary Liberal colleague.

“She’s a very capable person. I think she’s eminently employable,” Mr Abbott told The Sunday Telegraph.

“But we don’t have any plans to employ any former members of Parliament.”

Mrs Mirabella did not respond after being left a message by The Border Mail yesterday.

The Adelaide-based ASC repairs and designs upgrades for the Navy’s six Collins Class submarines.

Senator Cormann also named two other board members — Peter Iancov and Paul Rizzo.

“Mr Iancov also has a wealth of experience from board and executive appointments,” Senator Cormann said.

“Mr Rizzo brings senior executive experience at National Australia Bank, Telstra Corporation, BlueScope Steel and other major public companies.”