"It pains me to have to talk about this": Peris

An emotional Senator Nova Peris fought back tears as she addressed allegations she used taxpayer funds to coordinate a sex tryst with athlete Ato Boldon in 2010.

Senator Peris said she was not responsible for the funding arrangements regarding Ato Boldon’s trip, quoting the Australian Sports Commission's findings that Athletics Australia 'fully acquitted the funds provided, including an independent auditor confirmation that the funds were spent for the purposes they were provided'.

"It pains me to talk about my private life," she said.

Senator Peris said emails reportedly obtained by NT News were part of a long running "a very difficult child access and financial estate dispute", which the newspaper "was aware of ahead of publication".

"The release and publication of these emails is an attempt to extract money and embarrass me and my family," she said.

The Australian Federal Police confirmed it received a referral from Senator Nova Peris "in relation to a number of matters" on on 2nd October 2014, and is "continuing to evaluate this referral as per usual process".

Senator Peris also addressed her relationship with Cathy Freeman, asserting their friendship "remains strong" after allegations she labelled Freeman as 'so so dumb' in the emails.

"This incident will not stop me from representing the Northern Territory," she told the Senate.

Boldon has vehemently denied explosive claims he was having an affair with Peris.

"I am in possession of Nova's upcoming statement, which she will read in Parliament, and I trust the lunacy and motive behind all of this will be revealed," Boldon reportedly said.

The Olympic medallist from Trinidad and Tobago has told 7News a string of explicit email exchanges between himself and Senator Peris published by The NT News are fake.

Meanwhile Ms Peris has categorically rejected any wrongdoing.

"Documents provided to the NT News are private. It appears they were not lawfully obtained by a third party," she said.

"The highs and lows of my athletic career – and now political career – are public," Ms Peris said in a statement on Wednesday. "The highs and lows of my private life – are matters for me and my family."

Reports claim Peris invited the American sprinter to Australia for a program to identify promising young athletes, and that emails seen by the newspaper suggest a married Peris wanted to carry on an affair with Boldon while he was Down Under.

In one email, The NT News alleges Peris told Boldon he would be compensated sexually, after his long flight across the Pacific.

"You should be compensated for your long haul travels across the pacific... sexually of course... but only... a tired traveller should kick back for a few days," Ms Peris reportedly wrote.

In return, Boldon apparently asked Peris to send him nude photos.

The NT News claims Peris asked Boldon: “Tell me babe… what u want… Make a bit of money and spend time together… I will take time of from work to be with u."

To which Boldon reportedly responded: "Purpose is time with u plus attend trials plus help them promote the trials and possibly guest broadcast on the tv station carrying it… need hotel ticket plus 15,000 US."

Then weeks later Boldon apparently wrote: "Looks great.. when do I get some nude pics from u?"

Ms Peris appeared to have replied the same day: "Really, u want me to send some!!!! That is some freaky stuff Mr B..u like freaky??"

In March of 2010, Peris reportedly wrote to Boldon: “So my dear friend I am waiting for you... finally BLACK.. just like a Tim-tam.. black on black xxx”

Athletics Australia has confirmed to The NT News, it paid for Boldon to fly to Melbourne from the United States for the Jump Start program, which included an athletics clinic at Lalor in Melbourne's north.

He "capably fulfilled" his role and helped boost the profile of the program he was attached to, and the sport of athletics in general, Athletics Australia said in a statement.

Boldon was approached by 7News for an interview on Wednesday, but said he needed to speak with Peris first.

He has made contact via email with 7News reporter Angela Cox.

He did release a statement saying Peris "is a former training partner of mine, and has been a friend for almost 20 years."

"My trip to Australia almost five years ago was for the purpose of holding several youth clinics, and it was a successful undertaking. The trip was co-organized by one of my now-deceased colleagues at Athletics Australia," Boldon wrote.

"The article recently written by the Northern Territory News, includes gross fabrications."

"I will be following the senator’s lead, including, but not limited to, pursuing all legal action possible for this malicious misrepresentation of the details surrounding my presence in Australia in 2010."

Meanwhile, Labor leader Bill Shorten has spoken out in support of the Northern Territory Senator.

"I was aware there was to be some media reportage today about her," Shorten told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.

"Let me just say about Nova Peris, she is a great Australian, she's done remarkable things in her athletics career, but I think even more significantly for the Northern Territory and for Indigenous Australians."

"She has my support and the support of the Labor Caucus."