This inquiry lapsed at the end of the 45th Parliament. On 23 July 2019, the Senate agreed to the committee's recommendation that this inquiry be re-adopted in the 46th Parliament. 

• Information about the re-adopted inquiry (46th Parliament)

This is an archived webpage that is no longer updated.

On 5 December 2018, the Senate moved that the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 13 August 2019.

​Submissions closed on ​5 March 2019.​

The policy, regulatory, taxation, administrative and funding priorities for Australian shipping, with particular reference to:

1. new investment in Australian ships and building a maritime cluster in Australia;
2. the establishment of an efficient and commercially-oriented coastal ship licensing system and foreign crew visa system; 
3. the interaction with other modes of freight transport, non-freight shipping and government shipping;
4. maritime security, including fuel security and foreign ship and crew standards;
5. environmental sustainability;
6. workforce development and the seafarer training system;
7. port infrastructure, port services and port fees and charges; and
8. any related matters.