Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I give notice that, on the next day of sitting, I shall move:

That the following matter be referred to the Standing Committee of Privileges for inquiry and report:

Having regard to Senator Boswell's acceptance of a $30 000 donation from Metcash, and other such donations in previous years and his subsequent request, on 23 November 2010, for a parliamentary inquiry into the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's decision to block the expansion of Metcash:

  (a)   whether any person, by the offer or promise of an inducement or benefit, or by other improper means, attempted to influence a senator in the senator's conduct as a senator, and whether any contempt was committed in that regard; and

  (b)   whether Senator Boswell received any benefit for himself or another person on the understanding that he would be influenced in the discharge of his duties as a senator, or enter into any contract, understanding or arrangement having the effect, or which may have the effect, of controlling or limiting the senator's independence or freedom of action as a senator, or pursuant to which the senator is in any way to act as the representative of any outside body in the discharge of the senator's duties.

Mr President, that motion—