"No one in this chamber should ever cast a vote a particular way on the basis that if they don't,they will be subject to abuse. The Senate must not only protect its members,but the very core of democratic lawmaking,"he said.
Senator Patrick will move a motion on Thursday to refer Mr Setka's comments to the Senate standing committee on privileges to probe"whether there was an attempt to improperly interfere with the free performance by any senator of their duties".
The motion also calls for the committee to investigate"whether there has been any attempt to improperly influence any senator in their conduct ... by intimidation,force or threat of any kind".
If the Senate votes in favour of the motion,the privileges committee will consider whether Mr Setka should be held in contempt – in which case he could be fined or jailed.