Board meeting communique of matters - 25 June 2025

The 273rd meeting of the Board was held on Wednesday, 25 June 2025 in Canberra, ACT.

This Meeting

• The Board received an update from the Board Audit and Risk Committee (BARC) Chair on their 175th meeting on 27 May. The BARC completed their annual review of their Charter and recommended it be approved by the Board and published on AMSA’s website.
• The Board reviewed AMSA’s Governing Board Charter, noting the document clearly sets out the respective roles, responsibilities, and authorities of the Board of Directors and management in setting the direction, management, and control of the authority.
• The Board approved AMSA’s 2025-26 Corporate Plan for presentation to the Minister and subsequent publishing, noting its compliance with the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and Department of Finance guidance.
• The Board approved AMSA’s Investment and Cash Control Policy, noting the conservative approach to the management of funds to meet future obligations. This policy is reviewed annually by the BARC and is undertaken in accordance with AMSA’s Accountable Authority Instructions and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.
• The Board noted the update provided from the Chair of the Board’s People and Culture sub-committee. The Board noted progress and the workplan that has been established.
• The Board reviewed AMSA’s annual Regulatory Program and agreed the priorities for management to progress.
• The Board discussed AMSA’s financial position, and the month-end forecast for May 2025. The Board also held a discussion around AMSA’s sustainable funding.
• 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 the preventative strategies that are being implemented to manage an increase in psychosocial incidents being reported.
• The Board noted the ongoing work with the Seacare Authority and their Board established working group to bring greater clarity to the application of the Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) (OHS(MI)) Act 1993 (OHS(MI)).

Prior to this Meeting, the Board was briefed on Respect@Work and the positive duty in the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth) which requires organizations and businesses to proactively prevent sexual discrimination, harassment, and victimisation. The session highlighted the importance of leadership and culture, and the Board's duty to ensure AMSA takes reasonable and proportionate measures to eliminate inappropriate behaviours in the workplace.

Next Meeting

The next Board meeting will be held in Fremantle on 13 August 2025.

Capt. Jeanine Drummond

Chair, AMSA Board