A Senate committee is set to create a new record for the shortest inquiry to ever be held in federal parliament.
The Senate yesterday afternoon referred copyright laws linked to the Australia-US free trade agreement to the legal and constitutional legislation committee.
The committee has until today to examine and report on the bill.
Clerk of the Senate Harry Evans said it was likely to be the shortest inquiry ever held in the parliament.
"They don't come much shorter than that," he said.
The Australian Democrats and Greens wanted the legislation examined because the laws were complex and needed greater scrutiny.
The inquiry, which will be based on a public hearing tonight, will focus on concerns that the bill would enable persons other than copyright owners to force internet service providers to take down material allegedly infringing copyright.
The hastily-convened hearing is taking evidence from the Internet Industry Association, the Australian Digital Alliance, the Australian Film and Industry Coalition and the Interactive Entertainment Association of Australia.
It will also hear from the Attorney-General's Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The government wants the copyright bill through the parliament before it rises for its Christmas break on Thursday.
The trade deal is due to come into effect on January 1.
AAP