On 8 November 1967 the Senate agreed to a motion presented by Senator Wright, for the establishment of a Senate Select Committee on Off-Shore Petroleum Resources. The Committee was appointed following the passage of legislation regarding off-shore petroleum through the Senate. Its terms of reference stated that it was to inquire into and report on:
 
 (a) whether the constitutional conception underlying the legislation
     is consistent with the proper constitutional responsibilities of
     the Commonwealth and the States;
 
 (b) whether the system of administration established by the
     legislation is the most effective to fulfil the purpose of
     adequate utilisation of Australia's off-shore resources of oil
     and natural gas;
 
 (c) whether the legislation makes adequate provision for free
     interstate trade in gas and oil;
 
 (d) whether proper provision is made in the legislation for adequate
     royalties used in the national interest;
 
 (e) whether the areas of permits confirmed or authorised in the
     legislation are excessive;
 
 (f) whether proper provision is made relating to renewals to prevent
     stagnating oil exploration;
 
 (g) whether the legislation makes adequate provision for Australian
     ownership and/or control or Australian participation in the
     ownership and/or control of Australia's off-shore resources of
     oil and natural gas; and
 
 (h) the provisions of the legislation generally.
 
Membership of the Committee varied over the three and a half years of its existence but always consisted of eight Senators from all parties. The membership was as follows:
 
 Senator Cant
 Senator Cotton (to 26 November 1969; Chairman 19 March 1968-26
  November 1969)
 Senator Gair
 Senator Heatley (to 30 June 1968)
 Senator Keeffe
 Senator O'Byrne
 Senator Webster
 Senator Wright (to 21 August 1968)
 Senator Greenwood (from 21 August 1968 to 31 March 1971; Chairman 
  9 December 1969 - 31 March 1971)
 Senator Young (from 30 June 1968; Chairman from 2 April 1971)  
 Senator Laucke (from 26 November 1969)
 Senator Hannan (from 31 March 1971)
 
The Committee met regularly (on 139 occasions) and took evidence from 84 witnesses including representatives of Commonwealth and State government departments, oil companies, unions, industry contractors, economists, geologists, marine biologists, lawyers and others. In addition to hearing evidence in all states, the Committee made a number of field trips and inspections to examine oil exploration, production and refinement. An interim report on the first matter under the terms of reference was presented to the Senate on 24 September 1970.
 
The Committee met on a further 45 occasions before producing its final report on 8 December 1971. The report contained
recommendations on matters included in the terms of reference as well as a number of general references including conservation, the marine environment, industrial conditions, defence and navigation.
 

References
 
1. Parliamentary Debates. Senate, Vol S 36, 3 October-8 November
   1967, p 2337.
 
2. Parliamentary Debates. Senate, Vol S 45, 18 August-1 October 1970,
   pp 877-879.
 
3. Parliamentary Debates. Senate, Vol S 50, 12 October-10 December
   1971, pp 2496-2498.
 
4. Parliamentary Papers 1971, Vol 8 Parliamentary Committees,
   Parliamentary Paper No 201.
Historical agency address
Parliament House, Canberra
Legislation administered
Senate Resolution of 8 November 1967