On 14 September, the Senate referred an inquiry into the Australian dairy industry to the Senate Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 24 February 2017. On 13 February 2017, the Senate granted an extension to the committee to report by 30 March 2017.

On 27 March 2017, the committee was granted a further extension to report by 11 May 2017.

On 10 May 2017, the committee was granted a further extension to report by 29 June 2017.

On 20 June 2017, the committee was granted a further extension to report by 10 August 2017.

On 9 August 2017, the committee was granted a further extension to report by 17 August 2017.

Submissions closed on 9 November 2016.