Labor to probe corporate bribery claims

Federal Labor plans on relaunching a parliamentary inquiry into corporate bribery following allegations Australian companies have been embroiled in scandals in Congo and Sri Lanka.

Two firms - mining company Sundance Resources and the Snowy Mountains Engineering Company - are being investigated over accusations they sought to secure multimillion dollar contracts in the countries, the ABC and Fairfax Media report.

"What I really worry is that Australia has become a soft touch for white collar crime and in particular foreign corrupt practices," opposition frontbencher Sam Dastyari told ABC radio, flagging inviting representatives from both firms to front a Senate committee.