Prime Minister Julia Gillard is set to face her first political hurdle following revelations a Labor senator sold mining shares a day after the resources super profits tax was unveiled.
South Australian senator Annette Hurley sold shares in home state-based Penrice Soda in early May, ABC Radio's PM program says.
The transaction occurred a day after the federal government unveiled its proposed 40 per cent resources super profits tax.
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Senator Hurley declined to do an on-air interview with ABC Radio.
But she told the PM program the shares were part of a superannuation trust and she sold them on the advice of a stockbroker who said they had a poor profit record.
The senator said the proceeds were then invested in BHP Billiton shares, although she has declined to provide the ABC with a copy of the purchase order.
The revelation dents the government's attack on opposition frontbencher Peter Dutton, who disclosed in mid-May that he bought 50 BHP Billiton shares for just under $2000 on May 4 - two days after the tax plan was unveiled.
