Supporting a new children overboard inquiry will blow up in Labor Leader Mark Latham's face, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.
The Senate was expected to launch a fresh inquiry into the children overboard affair when it sits on Monday and Tuesday for the final time before the October 9 federal election.
The inquiry is likely to take evidence from former public servant Mike Scrafton who has said he told Prime Minister John Howard before the 2001 election that evidence did not support claims children were thrown off a refugee boat by their parents.
Mr Downer said reconvening the inquiry was part of attempts by Mr Latham to smear and denigrate Mr Howard.
"Look, we all know the opposition parties hold a majority on the Senate committee, everybody knows that," Mr Downer told reporters.
"This isn't an objective inquiry... this is a political stunt in order to continue with Mr Latham's smear and denigration of the prime minister.
"And look, it's my own judgment, but I think this will blow up in his own face."
Mr Downer criticised Mr Latham for accusing Mr Howard of being dishonest.
"I think it shows a certain degree of contempt for the Australian people that apparently an election campaign can be fought on just the leader of the opposition going around accusing other people of being liars," he said.
Mr Downer said Australia's alliance with the United States would be an issue during the election campaign.
"The Labor Party is equivocal on the American alliance," he said.
"I think that is an issue and I think we will continue to draw that to the attention of the Australia public
