On 18 June 2015, the Senate moved that the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by first sitting day of 2016.

The increasing use of so-called Flag of Convenience shipping in Australia, with particular reference to:

1. the effect on Australia‘s national security, fuel security, minimum employment law standards and our marine environment;
2. the general standard of Flag of Convenience vessels trading to, from and around Australian ports, and methods of inspection of these vessels to ensure that they are seaworthy and meet required standards;
3. the employment and possible exposure to exploitation and corruption of international seafarers on Flag of Convenience ships;
4. discrepancies between legal remedies available to international seafarers in state and territory jurisdictions, opportunities for harmonisation, and the quality of shore-based welfare for seafarers working in Australian waters;
5. progress made in this area since the 1992 House of Representatives Standing Committee on Transport, Communications and Infrastructure report Ships of shame: inquiry into ship safety; and
6. any related matters.