Woolworths boss Brad Banducci threatened with contempt charge in fiery Senate inquiry hearing

Chair Nick McKim takes issue with CEO's refusal to disclose company's return on equity amid claims of price gouging

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A parliamentary inquiry threatened to hold Brad Banducci, the chief executive of Woolworths, in contempt during a fiery hearing as Australia's big supermarket chains faced claims they price gouge shoppers and coerce suppliers.

Banducci was asked by the Senate committee on Tuesday to disclose the company's return on equity (ROE), an important gauge of profitability, amid a discussion over whether its profit levels were reasonable in a cost-of-living crisis.

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