Background

AMSA is established by the Australian Maritime Safety Act 1990. The AMSA Board meets 6 times per calendar year, and receives regular out of session reports and papers, with ad hoc meetings as required to ensure the efficient performance of AMSA’s functions, which are set out in the AMSA Act.

The role of the AMSA Board is to:

• determine AMSA's strategic objectives
• take responsibility for AMSA's resources
• ensure good governance
• promote careful, diligent and ethical conduct throughout the organisation.

The Board received an update from the Portfolio Department regarding the Strategic Fleet, decarbonisation and a discussion on progress to safeguard AMSA’s financial sustainability. The Board appreciated the opportunity to engage with the Department and welcomed another opportunity for the Department to attend another Board meeting in the second half of 2025.

This meeting

• The Board received an update from the Board Audit and Risk Committee (BARC) Chair on their 174th meeting on 5 February. The BARC reviewed AMSA’s 2025-26 non-financial performance information proposed to be included in the Corporate Plan and recommended it be approved by the Board.
• The Board approved the Terms of Reference for a new Board People and Culture sub-committee and approved the membership of the committee. The Committee will support the CEO in leading a project of work to ensure and maintain a safe and respectful workplace.
• The Board discussed AMSA’s financial position, and the month-end forecast for January 2025.
• The Board noted the bi-annual report detailing AMSA’s contracts, fulfilling AMSA’s reporting obligations under the Senate Order 192 (Murray Motion) reporting process.
• The Board reviewed a paper reporting AMSA’s gender pay gap for the 2023 calendar year and discussed planned actions to narrow the gap in future reporting years. It was noted there is an 18-month lag in reporting so actions taken to address may not be seen externally for some time.
• The Board noted the monitoring and reporting arrangements for AMSA’s Statement of Expectations and Statement of Intent.
• The Board discussed AMSA’s Enterprise Risk Register and Developing Risk Register – documents which are reviewed regularly and provide the Board with oversight of management’s identification, control and treatment of risks.
• The Board received a standing Work Health and Safety (WHS) Report for AMSA’s workforce, including psychosocial hazards and risks. The Board discussed that these WHS risks would be a focus for the Board People and Culture sub-committee.
• The Board received a presentation on the review of the National Plan for Environmental Emergencies. The Board noted the key principles of the National Plan:
  • Polluter pays for response
  • Potential polluter pays for preparedness (Pollution of the Sea levy)
  • National approach to capability
  • Government and industry partnership
• The Board noted the numerous challenges including but not limited to, the impact of climate change, policy responses and new hazards such as alternative fuels and maritime infrastructure. The Board also noted the particular challenge of electric vehicles onboard vessels and the emergency response requirements for electric vehicle battery fires.
• The Board appreciated the presentation and the impact the National Plan has on AMSA’s vision of Safe and clean seas, saving lives.
• The Board noted and welcomed the $16.9m skills and training package that had been announced, noting the improvements to the domestic maritime industry this will provide.

Next meeting

The next Board meeting will be held in Melbourne/Geelong on 8 April 2025.

Capt. Jeanine Drummond

Chair, AMSA Board