Our Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) provide AMSA with an integrated strategy for mutually beneficial and respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
We recognise that caring for Country includes the marine environment. Our vision of ‘safe and clean seas, saving lives’ aligns with the important roles that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples already undertake in caring for our sea, coasts, and air.
RAPs formalise our commitment in contributing to an equitable and reconciled Australia.
Through aligning the five dimensions to reconciliation; historical acceptance, race, relations, equality and equity, institutional integrity and unity with our own vision, mission, values and aspirations, we identified many shared benefits in undertaking a reconciliation journey for us and First Nations people.
Our RAP journey
At AMSA, every voice matters.
Every experience adds depth, and together, we are charting a course that acknowledges where we’ve been, understands where we are, and knows where we want to be, in the spirit of reconciliation. The waters of the past cleanse our path, and the waves of the future propel us forward.
Reflect 2022–2024
We formalised our reconciliation journey with the launch of our RAP — Reflect in July 2022. We recognise that to achieve and promote a culture of safety within 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.
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.
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.
RAP—Reflect journey and achievements
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
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.
- Our reconciliation journey began in 2022 with Reflect RAP...
- Appointed a dedicated Safety Liaison Advisor for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander matters.
- Participated in National Reconciliation Week NAIDOC Week and implemented cultural awareness training for staff.
- Procured $2 million of goods and services through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
- Launched new artwork on Cairns-based Challenger aircraft and donated Yawkyawk artwork to the International Maritime Organisation.
- Launched targeted educational programs for First Nations seafarers.
- Participated in Jawun APS Secondment Program, providing 240 hours of service to a First Nations community.
- Advanced maritime safety in the Torres Strait through the Torres Strait Marine Safety Program.
- 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'.
Innovate 2024–2026
As we continue our reconciliation journey, we look towards our second RAP—Innovate.
Our Reconciliation Working Group (RWG) has initiated the development of RAP – Innovate which will strengthen, test and establish our progressive approach for advancing reconciliation. RAP – Innovate, is a 2-year action plan will further guide and refine our reconciliation journey for the shared benefit of our organisation and First Nations peoples during 2024–2026.
Our Innovate RAP will be our public commitment to continuing our journey to reconciliation and will be published on Reconciliation Australia's website upon receiving their endorsement.
Our RAP champions
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.
AMSA’s RAPs are developed by the 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.
RAP achievements
Watch our video to hear AMSA CEO Mick Kinley, Executive Director Policy and Regulation and Diversity and Inclusion Champion Leanne Loan, and members of the RWG share the achievements AMSA has made under its Reflect RAP.