On 30 November 2016, the Senate referred an inquiry into the protection of Aboriginal rock art of the Burrup Peninsula to the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 21 March 2017.

The closing date for submissions is 23 January 2017.

On 20 March 2017 the Senate granted an extension of time to report until 10 May 2017.

On 10 May 2017 the Senate granted a further extension of time to report to 12 July 2017.

On 19 June 2017 the Senate granted an extension of time to report until 18 October 2017.

On 16 October 2017 the Senate granted an extension of time to report until 29 November 2017.

On 27 November 2017 the Senate granted a further extension of time to report until ​6 December 2017​.

On 6 December 2017 the Senate granted a further extension of time to report until 7 February 2018.

On 6 February 2018 the Senate granted a further extension of time to report until 14 February 2018.

On 14 February 2018 the Senate granted a further extension of time to report until ​21 March 2018​.