On 4 September 2014, the Senate moved that the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 27 November 2014.

Current and future arrangements for the marketing of Australian sugar, including:

1. the impact of proposed changes on the local sugar industry, including the effect on grower economic interest sugar;
2. equitable access to essential infrastructure;
3. foreign ownership levels in the industry and the potential to impact on the interests of the Australian sugar industry;
4. whether there is an emerging need for formal powers under Commonwealth competition and consumer laws, in particular, whether there are adequate protections for grower-producers against market imbalances; and
5. any related matters.