Senate inquiry to consider FIRB changes

A Senate inquiry into the lease of the Darwin Port wants to consider whether the Foreign Investment Review Board should become a statutory authority.

The Labor-dominated inquiry, which is also examining the treasurer's decision to block the sale of Australia's largest private landholder S. Kidman & Co, has recommended an extension of time so it can consider whether FIRB should be strengthened.

In additional comments to the interim report, tabled in the Senate on Thursday, coalition senators said they did not support expanding the scope of the inquiry to re-examine recent changes to the foreign investment review framework.