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Freedom of Information
Statement pursuant to section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 requires Commonwealth Government agencies to publish a statement setting out their organisation's role, structure, functions and documents available for public inspection and access to such documents. Section 8 of the Act requires each agency to publish detailed information on the way it is organised, its powers, decisions made and arrangements for public involvement in its work. This statement, in conjunction with information in this annual report, is intended to meet the requirements of Section 8 of the Act and is correct as at 30 June 2003.
AMSA operates nationally under the direction of a Board of Directors and a Chief Executive Officer (as detailed at the front of this report). AMSA has a head office in Canberra, with principal offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Fremantle. AMSA's main offices are listed at the back of the appendices to this annual report.
Access facilities
In many cases, an application under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 may not be required as information or documents are readily available.
Formal requests under the Act must be made in writing to:
The Freedom of Information Officer
Australian Maritime Safety Authority
GPO Box 2181
Canberra ACT 2601
Further information:
Telephone: (02) 6279 5052
Facsimile: (02) 6279 5017
Decision process
The Chairman holds the general power to grant or refuse access to AMSA documents, which he has delegated to AMSA managers, together with the internal review power. The Chairman also has delegated the power to conduct internal reviews to AMSA's Chief Executive Officer.
Functions
AMSA's functions are to regulate safety standards in the Australian maritime industry, combat pollution in the marine environment, provide a search and rescue coordination service for the maritime and aviation industries and perform other services for the maritime industry as requested.
Powers
A wide range of powers, under the following Acts, is exercised by staff in performing AMSA's functions:Ship Operations
- Navigation Act 1912 and Marine Orders made under that Act
relating to:
- construction standards for ships;
- survey of ships;
- safety of ships;
- crewing of ships;
- qualifications of seafarers;
- licensing of coastal pilots,
- welfare and discharge of seafarers; and
- cargoes and passengers.
- Lighthouses Act 1911, relating to marine navigational aids.
- Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act 1993, in relation to discharge of inspectorate functions as the Inspectorate under the Act.
Registration
- Shipping Registration Act 1981, relating to the registration of ships.
Marine Pollution
- Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Act 1983;
- Protection of the Sea (Powers of Intervention) Act 1981;
- Protection of the Sea (Shipping Levy) Act 1981;
- Protection of the Sea (Shipping Levy Collection) Act 1981;
- Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability) Act 1981;
- Protection of the Sea (Oil Pollution Compensation Fund) Act 1993;
- Protection of the Sea (Imposition of Contributions to Oil Pollution Compensation Fund - Customs) Act 1993;
- Protection of the Sea (Imposition of Contributions to Oil Pollution Compensation Fund - Excise) Act 1993; and
- Protection of the Sea (Imposition of Contributions to Oil Pollution Compensation Fund - General) Act 1993, relating to marine pollution.
Levies
- Marine Navigation Levy Act 1989;
- Marine Navigation Levy Collection Act 1989;
- Marine Navigation (Regulatory Functions) Levy Act 1991;
- Marine Navigation (Regulatory Functions) Levy Collection Act 1991, relating to the funding of AMSA's regulatory activities.
Categories of documents
Documents covering a broad range of topics related to AMSA's functions are recorded and maintained on a centralised database. Databases also are maintained for staff records, crew qualifications, shipping registration, port State control functions and financial records.
Maintenance of database records and microfilm records pertaining to the General Register of Seamen system closed effectively at 28 February 1998. These records have now been transferred to the National Archives of Australia.
Outside participation and public involvement
AMSA officers participated in the following organisations/committees:
- Australian and New Zealand Environment Consultative Committee (ANZECC) Maritime Accidents and Pollution Implementation Group and working groups.
- Australian Marine Group.
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority Advisory Committee.
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority Livestock Advisory Committee.
- Australian Shipbuilders' Association Technical Committee.
- Bass Strait Livestock Shipping Committee.
- Bulk Cargoes Advisory Group.
- Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait Shipping Management Group.
- National Introduced Marine Pests Coordination Group (NIMPCG).
- National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC).
- National Oil and Gas Advisory Group (NOGAG).
- National Plan Management Committee (NPMC).
- National Plan Operations Group (NPOG).
- Navigational Services Advisory Committee.