On 11 February 2015, the Senate moved that the following matters be referred to the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 1 December 2015.

The future role and contribution of regional capitals to Australia, including:

1. an assessment of current demographic trends and the changing role of regional capitals;
2. an analysis of current funding provided to regional capitals;
3. an analysis of the benefit of additional funding regional capitals could receive based on population, demand for services and their strategic importance for the region, state or country;
4. investment challenges and opportunities to maintain or grow regional capitals, including infrastructure, community and human services, communications and natural resources;
5. incentives and policy measures that would support sustainable growth in regional capitals;
6. the impact the changing environment will have on regional capitals; and
7. any other related matters.