On 2 March 2015, the Senate referred the following matters to the Economics Reference Committee for inquiry and report by 14 May 2015.

1. the role, importance, and overall performance of cooperative, mutual and member-owned firms in the Australian economy;
2. the operations of cooperatives and mutuals in the Australian economy, with particular reference to:
   1. economic contribution,
   2. current barriers to innovation, growth, and free competition,
   3. the impact of current regulations, and
   4. comparisons between mutual ownership and private sale of publicly held assets and services; and
3. any related matters.