The Committee adopted the following terms of reference on 5 March 2015:

Governance in the Indian Ocean Territories

The Committee will inquire into and report on the interaction between formal institutions and the Indian Ocean communities, reviewing:

• the role of the Administrator and the capacity (and appropriateness) of the Administrator taking on a stronger decision-making role;
• existing consultation mechanisms undertaken by government representatives, including the IOT Regional Development Organisation, and best practice for similar small remote communities’ engagement with Australian and state governments;
• local government’s role in supporting and representing communities in the Indian Ocean Territories; and
• opportunities to strengthen and diversify the economy, whilst maintaining and celebrating the unique cultural identity of the Indian Ocean Territories.