Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's department may have misled the Senate over the departure gate screening incident that resulted in three workers at Melbourne Airport being suspended and one later sacked.

Tasmanian Labor Senator Catryna Bilyk has called for an investigation into whether the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade gave "false and misleading evidence" earlier this month when it told the Senate Ms Bishop had not been involved in any screening-related incident, altercation or complaint.

"Complained" after an airport check: Julie Bishop, pictured at Canberra Airport earlier this year, was singled out to be scanned on her way through Melbourne Airport. Credit:Andrew Meares

Specifically, the department was asked on notice in November by Senator Bilyk: "Has the Foreign Minister ever been involved in any incidents, altercations or complaints relating to directions to subject herself to security screening at Australian ports, in relation to body scanners or other devices or procedures?"

DFAT responded: "No."