Inquiry won't examine Taylor fake doc case

A powerful parliamentary committee will not consider whether Energy Minister Angus Taylor misled parliament over his use of a fake document to criticise Sydney's mayor.

Manager of opposition business Tony Burke asked Speaker Tony Smith last December to look at whether Mr Taylor had misled parliament and should be referred to the privileges committee.

If found to have misled parliament it would constitute being in contempt of parliament.

Mr Burke had pointed to six statements Mr Taylor made to parliament, where he said his office had used travel figures downloaded from the City of Sydney's website.

The figures used by Mr Taylor to attack Clover Moore cited travel spending of more than $15 million, when the council had spent about $6000.

Slapping down the referral to the privileges committee, Mr Smith said there wasn't enough evidence to show Mr Taylor had misled parliament.

"I understand this matter is surrounded by differing views," he told parliament.

"However, the matter of misleading the House is a very serious one and, rightly, there should be prima facie evidence that the House has been misled, and that the misleading has been deliberate."

A NSW police investigation into the fake travel figures has been referred to the Australian Federal Police.

Mr Taylor's staffer Josh Manuatu is alleged to be behind the doctored documents, but did not lose his job.

Mr Manuatu has since returned to the ACT Liberals as they gear up for a territory election.