That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by the second last sitting day in March 2017:

The potential environmental, social and economic impacts of BP’s planned exploratory oil drilling project, and any future oil or gas production in the Great Australian Bight, with particular reference to:

1. the effect of a potential drilling accident on marine and coastal ecosystems, including:
   1. impacts on existing marine reserves within the Bight,
   2. impacts on whale and other cetacean populations, and
   3. impacts on the marine environment,
2. social and economic impacts, including effects on tourism, commercial fishing activities and other regional industries;
3. current research and scientific knowledge;
4. the capacity, or lack thereof, of government or private interests to mitigate the effect of an oil spill; and
5. any other related matters.