This inquiry was originally referred to the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee on 8 October 2020 for report by 4 November 2020. On 4 November 2020 the committee wrote to the President indicating it had been informed that the Minister will seek the permission of the Senate at the next available opportunity to refer the provisions of the bill to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for inquiry and report.

On 10 November the Senate agreed to refer the provisions of the bill to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 26 November 2020. The committee is able to consider the relevant evidence and records of the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee which can be found here.