On 24 March 2014, the Senate referred the following matter to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report.

Australia’s future activities and responsibilities in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic waters, including:

(a) Australia’s management and monitoring of the Southern Ocean in relation to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing;

(b) cooperation with international partners on management and research under international treaties and agreements;

(c) appropriate resourcing in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic territory for research and governance; and

(d) any other related matters.