The Senate will be asked to refer Liberal frontbencher Arthur Sinodinos to a parliamentary committee to investigate whether he committed contempt of parliament.
The cabinet secretary refused last week to give evidence to a Senate inquiry that specifically directed his appearance to answer questions regarding political donations.
Labor will on Wednesday move a motion to refer Senator Sinodinos to the privileges committee to determine if he disobeyed a lawful order without excuse, and whether he committed contempt.
Senate President Stephen Parry agreed to grant precedence to the motion, noting the Senate had ordered the cabinet secretary to appear before the committee under standing orders.
Senator Sinodinos was NSW Liberal Party treasurer and finance director when secret donors poured $700,000 into the party's coffers ahead of the 2011 state election.
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The NSW Electoral Commission is refusing to pay the Liberals more than $4.4 million until it reveals the secret donors.
Senator Sinodinos officially declined to appear before the inquiry due to unavailability.
He later labelled it "just a political stunt" and said there was ample opportunity for Labor to scrutinise him via parliamentary question time and estimates hearings.
The Senate has previously ruled that disobedience of the upper house without a reasonable excuse could be considered contempt.
If found to be in contempt by the committee Senator Sinodinos could face a range of political and procedural penalties.
