Published on Australian Maritime Safety Authority (https://www.amsa.gov.au)


Reconciliation Working Group

Meet the team developing and driving our reconciliation action plans.

While responsibility for implementing RAP goals sits across the whole of AMSA, our RAP work is steered by AMSA’s Diversity and Inclusion Champion, Leanne Loan, Executive Director of Policy and Regulation.

Our RAP champions

AMSA’s RAPs are developed by the Reconciliation Working Group (RWG), a sub-committee of our Diversity Working Group (DWG) and endorsed by the AMSA Executive. Implementation is tracked by our People and Property team, the RWG and DWG, and responsibility for individual actions and deliverables are assigned to the relevant areas, identified within the RAP. 

Diversity and Inclusion Champion
Leanne Loan

Executive Director Policy & Regulation

Leanne is AMSA’s Diversity and Inclusion Champion. She oversees the activities of the Diversity Working Group and its sub-committees, including the Reconciliation Working Group, and advocates for diversity and inclusion across the organisation.  

She works and lives on Ngambri, Ngunnawal Country.  

RWG Chair
Dr Brad Roberts

Liaison Officer – Victoria, Vessel Operations

As Chair of the Reconciliation Working Group (RWG) Brad led the development of AMSA’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Innovate. Brad is also responsible for the Safety Data team (Vessel Operations) which manages AMSA’s marine incident data, ensuring the triaging, coding, recording and quality of this data continues to be governed and maintained. Brad championed the preparation of the 2024/25 National Compliance Plan. 

He lives on Naarm, Wurundjeri Country.  

RWG Deputy Chair
Kara Grey

Senior Officer Communications System, Policy and Regulation

Kara works for Maritime Safety Systems, providing subject matter expertise on the distress beacon system and liaising with the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme and SAR stakeholders in the southwest Pacific.  

She works and lives on Ngambri, Ngunnawal Country.

RWG Member
Mary Kirkman

Diversity & Inclusion and HR Strategy Officer

Mary Kirkman is AMSA’s Diversity and Inclusion Officer; part of the People and Property team in Corporate Services.

She lives and works between Ngambri, Ngunnawal Country and Yuin Country on the far south coast of NSW.

RWG Member
Desley Thompson

Advisor Safety Liaison - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Desley has cultural and ancestral connections to Mamu Country and Tagalaka Country.  Desley’s role is to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who operate domestic commercial vessels. These may include Land and Sea Rangers, fishing businesses, and tour group operators. Desley is dedicated to supporting and assisting anyone in their reconciliation journey. 

RWG Member
Genevieve Cody

Senior Office Business Support – Response

Gen delivers strategic planning, performance reporting and administrative services while also working to build a positive, inclusive culture committed to reconciliation.

She works and lives on Ngambri, Ngunnawal Country.  

RWG Member
Saffron Driver

Senior Officer Certification, Vessel Safety Unit

Saffron leads the management of Certification Officers & Support Officers Certification across the Canberra and Coffs Harbour offices. Her role is pivotal in ensuring a nationally consistent approach to the issue of domestic commercial vessel certification.

She works and lives on Gumbainggir Country. 

RWG Member
Jake McNally-Reid

Certification Officer, Vessel Safety Unit

Jake is responsible for the administration, data entry, triaging and decisioning of a high volume of applications for vessel and operations related permissions relating to National Law marine orders and general exemptions.

He works and lives on Gumbaynggirr Country.

RWG Member
Ashley Dotta

Advisor Internal Communication, Corporate Services

Ashley oversees staff communication and engagement at AMSA. As part of her role, she supports AMSA’s Diversity and Inclusion Champion and Reconciliation Working Group to increase staff engagement in AMSA’s reconciliation journey and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  

She works and lives on Turrbul and Yuggera Country.

RWG Member
Sadie Howard

Senior Officer Freedom of Information, Office of Legal Counsel

Sadie’s primary role is processing Freedom of Information (FOI) applications. She works closely with AMSA’s internal line areas to ensure we consider all aspects of the FOI act when preparing the documents for release. Sadie also prepares documents for subpoena’s, Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) internal reviews and complaints and provides ad hoc legal support to the Office of Legal Counsel team.  

She lives and works on Gumbaynggirr Country, and her daughter is a part of the Yarkuwa tribe.