The adequacy of the regulatory framework governing water use by the extractive industry, with particular reference to:

1. the social, economic and environmental impacts of extractive projects’ take and use of water;
2. existing safeguards in place to prevent the damage, contamination or draining of Australia’s aquifers and water systems;
3. any gaps in the regulatory framework which may lead to adverse social, economic or environmental outcomes, as a result of the take and use of water by extractive projects;
4. any difference in the regulatory regime surrounding the extractive industry’s water use, and that of other industries;
5. the effectiveness of the ‘water trigger’ under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 , and the value in expanding the ‘trigger’ to include other projects, such as shale and tight gas; and
6. any other related matters.