Australiawal Maritime Safety Authority ngoonawalwari dhawurawari dindi wanggiralidjinyin waro Australiawal oo dhunudumulinggu warree mada gadung oo mariny. *

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority pays our respects to the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. 

In the spirit of reconciliation, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. 

We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which our organisation operates, across Australia.  

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have occupied Australia for tens of thousands of years, and their cultures, laws, ceremonies and connection to the land are strong and enduring. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

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* The head office of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority is on Ngunawal Country. We thank Thunderstone Aboriginal Cultural Services for providing a translation of our Acknowledgement of Country in Ngunawal language.  

We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and emerging and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. AMSA commits itself to ongoing acts of reconciliation. 

This Reconciliation Action Plan is an important step forward in the agency’s diversity and inclusion work, and one which all employees will have the opportunity to be a part of. 

At AMSA, we recognise that caring for Country includes the marine environment. Indeed, our vision of safe and clean seas aligns with the important roles that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples already undertake in caring for our sea, coasts and air.  

AMSA recognises the value of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 
(UNDRIP) as a framework for better recognising and protecting the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Our RAP is consistent with the principles of UNDRIP; particularly the importance of consulting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on decisions affecting them and that respects for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ knowledge, cultures and traditional practices contributes to sustainable and equitable development and proper management of the environment.  Our RAP provides the strategy required to fulfil our commitment to these rights. 

In the past year, AMSA has been actively engaging with Traditional Owners on a range of maritime issues including working with vessel operators in the Torres Strait to improve safety, conducting research into the potential impact of ship wake in the Torres Strait, and we completed works on Good Island through a cultural heritage management agreement. To better support AMSA’s engagement with Traditional Owners we also launched our Indigenous Engagement Guidelines. 

The drafting of a Reconciliation Action Plan is a further step in the right direction, and one we will continue building on and improving in the future. 

Mick Kinley 
Chief Executive Officer 
Australian Maritime Safety Authority 

Reconciliation Australia welcomes Australian Maritime Safety Authority to the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program with the formal endorsement of its inaugural Reflect RAP.  

Australian Maritime Safety Authority joins a network of more than 1,100 corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have made a formal commitment to reconciliation through the RAP program.  

Since 2006, RAPs have provided a framework for organisations to leverage their structures and diverse spheres of influence to support the national reconciliation movement. The program’s potential for impact is greater than ever, with close to 3 million people now working or studying in an organisation with a RAP.  

The four RAP types — Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate — allow RAP partners to continuously develop and strengthen reconciliation commitments in new ways. This Reflect RAP will lay the foundations, priming the workplace for future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives. 

The RAP program’s strength is its framework of relationships, respect, and opportunities, allowing an organisation to strategically set its reconciliation commitments in line with its own business objectives, for the most effective outcomes.  

These outcomes contribute towards the five dimensions of reconciliation: race relations; equality and equity; institutional integrity; unity; and historical acceptance.  

It is critical to not only uphold all five dimensions of reconciliation, but also increase awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge, and leadership across all sectors of Australian society.  

This Reflect RAP enables Australian Maritime Safety Authority to deepen its understanding of its sphere of influence and the unique contribution it can make to lead progress across the five dimensions. Getting these first steps right will ensure the sustainability of future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives, and provide meaningful impact toward Australia’s reconciliation journey. 

Congratulations Australian Maritime Safety Authority, welcome to the RAP program, and I look forward to following your reconciliation journey in the years to come. 

Karen Mundine 
Chief Executive Officer 
Reconciliation Australia 

Search & Rescue 

Artist: Michael J Connolly (Munda-gutta Kulliwari) 
Creation Date: 25 August 2021 

Note: While an image of this work is not currently available, a description of the piece in the artist's own words follows.

The Art is a 3 in 1 piece. 

The top section is the sky which has a plane in Flight. 

The White lines are the Communication sound waves from the plane to the land and the Sea. 

The Middle section is the Land and is recognised by the red ochre of Australia. 

The land connects to the Aboriginal People. 

The trees and the shrubs are part of the country. 

The centre of the ground section is the symbol of a meeting place to discuss Business. 

The U design is people sitting down, the dot in the U is to recognise women. 

The U design with Spear and Boomerang are the Men (Hunters). 

The dot lines through the centre of the Meeting place are the connections to the Sky and the Sea. 

The Bottom Section is the Sea recognised by the Sea Turtle and Fish. The white lines are the communication sound waves connecting the Sky, The Land and the Sea. 

The Story is completed and comes together as one of communication to help everyone to achieve the outcomes in search and rescue. 

MICHAEL CONNOLLY (25/8/2021) 

About the Artist 

Michael Connolly is an Aboriginal from Charleville, south west Queensland. He is a descendant of the KullillI Tribe from the Thargomindah and Eulo region on his Father's side and from the Muruwari People from Goodooga and Brewarrina region of north-west New South Wales on his Mother's side (who can trace their traditional trade and diplomatic links with Central Desert as well as South Australian and Northern New South Wales' Aboriginal Communities). 

With this rich Indigenous background and a unique way of interpreting his cultural heritage Michael is able to represent a unique perspective in the visual and performing arts that informs his significant work in cross cultural contexts. 

Our business

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is Australia's national agency responsible for maritime safety, protection of the marine environment, and maritime aviation search and rescue. Our vision is ‘Safe and clean seas, saving lives’, which links to sustainably caring for Country. 

AMSA has approximately 440 employees. Currently two of our employees are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people². 

Our work has regional, national and global impacts. Our primary role is to: 

• promote maritime safety and protection of the marine environment
• prevent and combat ship-sourced pollution in the marine environment
• provide infrastructure to support safe navigation in Australian waters
• provide a national search and rescue service to the maritime and aviation sectors
• provide, on request, services to the maritime industry on a commercial basis.

AMSA has employees located in 24 locations. Those are: Adelaide, Airlie Beach, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Coffs Harbour, Darwin, Devonport, Fremantle, Geraldton, Gladstone, Hobart, Kalaru, Karratha, Launceston, London (UK), Mackay, Melbourne, Newcastle, Port Hedland, Port Kembla, Sydney, Thursday Island and Townsville. 

Our office locations

List of office locations 

Airlie Beach
Brisbane
Cairns
Canberra
Coffs Harbour
Darwin
Devonport
Fremantle
Gladstone
Geraldton
Hobart
Karatha
Mackay
Melbourne
Newcastle
Port Hedland
Port Kembla
Sydney
Thursday Island
Townsville

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² as at 31 July 2021.

A RAP will provide AMSA with an integrated strategy for mutually beneficial and respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.  

We regularly engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders; including working with Torres Strait Islander vessel operators to promote a culture of safety and provide educational tools to help them assess and manage risks. Additionally, effective cultural heritage management agreements with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander landowners are vital for our Aid to Navigation objectives. AMSA recently implemented our Indigenous Engagement Guidelines to effectively engage, communicate, and work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. Our work also involves caring for Country, with protection of the marine environment vital to AMSA’s vision and mission. 

AMSA has set an employment target of 3% by 2025 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. AMSA is working to establish relationships with organisations that will support us in achieving these employment targets, as well as providing the understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes.  

AMSA’s Reconciliation Action Plan Champion is Michael Drake, an Executive Director in our organisation. Our RAP Champion is a sponsor for inclusion and diversity at AMSA, and he is committed to progressing the actions in our Reconciliation Action Plan. AMSA’s RAP was developed by the RAP Working Group (RWG), steered by the Diversity Working Group (DWG) and endorsed by the Senior Executive. Implementation will be tracked by the RWG and DWG, and responsibility for individual actions and deliverables will be assigned to the relevant areas, identified in the sections that follow.

Community partnerships 

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Agreement 

In November 2019 AMSA signed an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Agreement with the Kaurareg Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (KNTAC). This agreement covers the protection and management of all Aboriginal cultural heritage at 10 Aids to Navigation (AtoN) sites. 

The agreement details the processes to be followed during works on site, with works being classified as either low or high impact activities. Depending on the classification of the works, local Cultural Monitors are present on site to observe the works in the event of Aboriginal cultural heritage being discovered. 

The agreement also outlines requirements for engaging local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers when relevant. 

The Kaurareg community are from the lower Western Islands of the Torres Strait. 

Internal activities and initiatives 

Torres Strait Marine Safety Program 

The Torres Strait Marine Safety Program (TSMSP) began in 2006 and was a joint initiative of organisations including the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA). The Queensland Police Service (QPS) and National Maritime Safety Authority (NMSA) of PNG became program partners in later years.  A number of successful projects have been implemented and the program is ongoing. 

Torres Strait Indigenous Commercial Fishers Education Project 

In May 2021 - AMSA commenced the Torres Strait Indigenous Commercial Fishers Education Project which aims to develop and deliver guidance and education to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander commercial fishers throughout the Torres Strait region on regulatory requirements that relate to their commercial vessel operations. 

Working with the Poruma Island community 

AMSA is conducting an investigation into the impacts of ship wake on Poruma Island in the Torres Strait in response to community concerns about the impact of shipping on erosion. 

Community liaison 

AMSA’s Customer Service Officer in the Thursday Island office is a proud Torres Strait Islander woman who is integral in AMSA’s engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and supporting internal business units as AMSA carries out its work in the region. 

Aids to Navigation 

As part of the AtoN capital works programme, stakeholder consultations are held with identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups during the project planning stages. 

Actions

1. Establish and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations

2. Build relationships through celebrating National Reconciliation Week (NRW)

3. Promote reconciliation through our sphere of influence

4. Promote positive race relations through anti-discrimination strategies

Actions

5. Increase understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights through cultural learning

6. Demonstrate respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by observing cultural protocols.

7. Build respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories by celebrating NAIDOC Week.

8. Visibly promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures within our organisation

Actions

9. Improve employment outcomes by increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment, retention and professional development.

10. Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity to support improved economic and social outcomes.

Actions

11. Establish and maintain an effective RAP Working Group (RWG) to drive governance of the RAP.

12. Provide appropriate support for effective implementation of RAP commitments.

 13. Build accountability and transparency through reporting RAP achievements, challenges and learnings both internally and externally.

 14. Continue our reconciliation journey by developing our next RAP.

Contact: Fei Choi, Director HR Strategy. hrmailbox@amsa.gov.au

Reflect was our first integrated strategy for mutually beneficial and respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

We formalised our reconciliation journey and recognised that to achieve and promote a culture of safety with all stakeholders in the maritime industry, we need to engage, listen, and learn from our Indigenous communities.

The first step in our journey was to appoint a dedicated Safety Liaison Advisor for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander operators. 

Meet Desley Thompson, AMSA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Safety Liaison Advisor. 

Achievements

We launched targeted education programs for First Nations seafarers, participated in National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week. We also implemented cultural awareness training for our staff, encouraging respectful and culturally appropriate relationships between AMSA and First Nations people.  

We engaged a Badu Island artist who created artwork now displayed on our Cairns-based Challenger aircraft. Baydham the shark displayed in this artwork is known as the protector of the reef.  

Learn more about Torres Strait artist Michael Nona and the story of ‘Baydham’.  

Our Reflect RAP saw us procure $2 million of goods and services through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. 

We provided 240 hours of service to a First Nations community by participating in the Jawun APS Secondment Program. Jawun allows us to work with Indigenous communities and leaders with mutual benefits as we exchange knowledge and skills. 

We advanced maritime safety in the Torres Strait through the Torres Strait Marine Safety Program by working with stakeholders on educational safety measures.

The journey

This is AMSA’s journey of reconciliation: where every step taken is a step towards togetherness, every action a ripple widening the circle of inclusion. Our map is drawn with respect, and every nautical mile travelled brings us closer to the shared shores of understanding and recognition.

Click on the infographic below to download a PDF copy. 

Learn more about our infographic (text description)

At AMSA, we are chartering a course that acknowledges where we've been, understands where we are, and knows where we want to be - in the spirit of reconciliation.

Our infographic is an indigenous design artwork that visually shows the timeline of AMSA’s journey of reconciliation. Nine stepping stones represent each step in our journey.

1. Our reconciliation journey began in 2022 with Reflect RAP...
2. Appointed a dedicated Safety Liaison Advisor for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander matters.
3. Participated in National Reconciliation Week NAIDOC Week and implemented cultural awareness training for staff.
4. Procured $2 million of goods and services through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
5. Launched new artwork on Cairns-based Challenger aircraft and donated Yawkyawk artwork to the International Maritime Organisation.
6. Launched targeted educational programs for First Nations seafarers.
7. Participated in Jawun APS Secondment Program, providing 240 hours of service to a First Nations community.
8. Advanced maritime safety in the Torres Strait through the Torres Strait Marine Safety Program.
9. Our Innovate RAP will see us take the next step in our journey to reconciliation.

The infographic includes an image of Aboriginal flag, Torres Strait Islander flag and banner image from Diversity Council Australia 'Proud to be an inclusive employer 2023-2024'.