As part of its inquiry into the effect of red tape on the economy and community, the committee will examine the effect of red tape on cabotage, in particular:

1. the effects on compliance costs (in hours and money), economic output, employment and government revenue;
2. any specific areas of red tape that are particularly burdensome, complex, redundant or duplicated across jurisdictions;
3. the impact on health, safety and economic opportunity, particularly for the low-skilled and disadvantaged;
4. the effectiveness of the Abbott, Turnbull and previous governments' efforts to reduce red tape;
5. alternative institutional arrangements to reduce red tape, including providing subsidies or tax concessions to businesses to achieve outcomes currently achieved through regulation;
6. how different jurisdictions in Australia and internationally have attempted to reduce red tape; and
7. any related matters.

The committee called for submissions by 5 April 2017. The Government subsequently announced consultations on proposed coastal shipping reforms. In light of this development, the committee resolved not to proceed with a separate inquiry into the effect of red tape on cabotage. Submissions received to this inquiry may be considered by the committee in its final report.