Senate push to probe false Nauru evidence

Labor and the Australian Greens will refer potentially false evidence about offshore detention on Nauru to the privileges committee.

A Senate committee will be asked to investigate whether witnesses gave false evidence to an inquiry into offshore processing on Nauru.

Senate President Stephen Parry on Monday ruled the privileges committee could look into possible contempt by witnesses who gave evidence relating to the surveillance of Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young and a disturbance in July 2013.

The Greens and Labor will refer the potential false or misleading evidence to the committee on Tuesday.