Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers
Martin Byrne—Federal Secretary
Martin is currently the elected Federal President of the Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers (AIMPE) as well as being the appointed Federal Secretary of AIMPE.
For over 35 years he has worked continuously for the AIMPE mostly based in the Head Office in Sydney.
Martin has dealt with seafarers’ compensation matters including being involved in lobbying for and participating in the drafting committee for the Seafarers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1992, and with health and safety matters including proposing and helping push through the Occupational Health and Safety (Maritime Industry) Act 1993.
Martin also proposed the adoption of the name for the Seacare Authority to administer this new system and spent around 25 years as a Member or Deputy Member of the Seacare Authority.
Martin served as a Director of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority between 2008-2011.
For many years Martin was responsible within AIMPE for members working in the tugboat industry all around Australia.
Over a period of 20 years Martin held the position of Federal Treasurer of the AIMPE and he is responsible for the AIMPE’s monthly magazine “On Watch”.
Australian Marine Conservation Society
Diane Tarte—Director
Diane Tarte is Director of Marine Ecosystem Policy Advisors providing advice on policy and programs addressing research and management of marine, coastal and catchment areas with a particular focus on ecosystem-based management of catchments, waterways and fisheries.
Over the past 35 years she has been involved in the protection and management of the Great Barrier Reef and Australian tidal wetland areas, the development of government planning and management policies and legislation focusing on integrated coastal zone management and Oceans Policy, and the involvement of the community in the management of marine protected areas, coastal wetland reserves and rehabilitation of riparian zones.
She has contributed to a range of shipping and ports forums, most recently the Water Space Working Group for the North-East Shipping Management Plan, and the implementations of the Queensland government’s Sustainable Ports Act.
Australian Maritime College
Malcolm Wise, AM – Principal
Mal Wise is an experienced executive leader with a strong background in the Maritime Sector and 38 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) at Operational and Strategic levels. He has a strong commitment to building effective teams in order to realise the potential of high performing organisations.
Mal commanded three Australian Warships during his service in the RAN and recently completed two years as Commander of Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE), which is Australia’s flagship, whole-of-Government Task Group focused on international engagement in the South and Southeast Asian region. Prior to that he was Chief of Operations at Maritime Border Command, where he led the combined Defence and Commonwealth Law Enforcement activities in Australia’s maritime security area of responsibility, encompassing 11 percent of the world’s oceans.
He was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in 2005 for services as Executive Officer of HMAS Darwin during the second Gulf War and was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2019 in recognition of his leadership in counterterrorism and counter-narcotics operations in the Western Indian Ocean as Commander of Combined Task Force 150, headquartered in Bahrain.
Mal is an Associate Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation and was the Navy’s Senior Nuclear Pilot in 2004-2006. He worked closely with the Australia’s commercial maritime sector, Ports Australia, and Government agencies during the nation’s implementation of the International Ship and Port Facilities Security (ISPS) code.
He holds a Bachelor of Science (UNSW), a Graduate Diploma in Security and Strategy (US Naval War College), a Master’s Degree in International Relations (Salve Regina University), and a Graduate Certificate in National Security Policy (ANU).
Mal has a strong commitment to the Reconciliation agenda and continues to serve in a Reserve Capacity as the (inaugural) Senior Navy Indigenous Champion for the Royal Australian Navy.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia (Australasia and Asia)
Joel Katz—Managing Director
Joel Katz joined CLIA as Managing Director for Australasia and Asia in January 2017 bringing with him almost 30 years of international experience in the travel industry.
He previously served in Executive and Operational Leadership roles with small and expedition cruise lines in Europe and Australia, including Grand Circle Cruise Line, Orion Expedition Cruises and Lindblad Expeditions. He has also worked with both the Hyatt and Marriott hotel companies in Finance roles in Europe, Central Asia and Australia. Joel started his career in the cruise industry working both onboard and then shore-side for Orient Lines.
In his role as Managing Director at CLIA, Katz heads a Sydney and Singapore based team that is responsible for the promotion and development of the cruise industry in the region through trade relations, industry training, and advocacy activities on behalf of CLIA’s members.
This advocacy work on behalf of the whole cruise community is CLIA’s most important focus right now, and CLIA’s travel agent community is critical to the future prosperity of the cruise industry, as CLIA continues to advocate in members’ interests.
Maritime Industry Australia Ltd
Angela Gillham —Chief Executive Officer
Angela joined MIAL in 2003 and has a Bachelor of Applied Science. Angela is the associations specialist in shipping policy matters, with a particular focus on operational, health and safety and environmental performance.
Angela has managed a range of shipping related research and development projects and represents the interests of the Australia industry at international forums, including the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Maritime Organisation.
Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand
Dr David Goodwin—President
Dr David Goodwin is an Associate Professor at Victoria University in Melbourne and a practising Barrister at the Victorian Bar, with specialisations in transport law, international trade, alternative dispute resolution and corporate governance.
David is the current President of the Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand. Earlier in his career he held a range of senior executive roles in the logistics and steel industries, including with the APL, BlueScope Steel, BHP and ANL organisations.
David is affiliated with Victoria University’s College of Law and Justice and its Business School, where he is Head, Industry and External Engagement. He is also a Director of the Melbourne Maritime Heritage Network and a Fellow of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators.
Maritime Union of Australia
Jamie Newlyn—Assistant National Secretary
Jamie Newlyn is the Assistant National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia with responsibility for shipping policy for the union.
Jamie Newlyn was an Australian Merchant Seafarer from 1988-1998, followed by a 5 year stint as a Stevedore before being elected to South Australian Branch Secretary of the MUA.
Other roles include:
- Director of Maritime Super
- Deputy Member Seacare
Ports Australia
The Hon. Mike Gallacher—Chief Executive Officer
Mike became the Chief Executive Officer of Ports Australia in April 2017 following over two decades as a Member of the NSW Parliament. During his Parliamentary career Mike was appointed Leader of the Government (NSW Legislative Council 2011-14) Minister for Police and Emergency Service and Vice President of the NSW Executive Council. He has also served as Minister in a number of other portfolios including responsibilities for the Hunter Valley, Central Coast and Industrial Affairs.
Mike served as Leader of the Liberal/National Party Coalition from 1999 – 2014 and has also held numerous Shadow Ministerial portfolios, including transport and ports.
Prior to entering Parliament, Mike served as a member of the NSW Police Force from 1980 to 1996 and performed a variety of duties including Detective and HWP. A large portion of his career was spent investigating corruption matters at Police Internal Affairs.
Royal Australian Navy
Rear Admiral Matt Buckley - Deputy Chief of Navy
RADM Matt Buckley, AM, CSC, RAN assumed the role of Deputy Chief of Navy on 24 January 2025. 
RADM Buckley was born in in Sydney Australia and spent his school years on the NSW South Coast. He joined the Royal Australian Navy in January 1990 and graduated from the Australian Defence Force Academy in December 1992.
RADM Buckley spent the tactical phase of his career serving in Oberon and Collins Class submarines. Highlights during this time were 2 years on exchange in a Canadian Submarine based in Halifax Nova Scotia and serving in the commissioning crew of HMAS Rankin.
After completing the Submarine Command Course “Perisher” and the tactical phase of the USN Submarine Command Course, RADM Buckley commanded the Submarine HMAS Collins and later served as the Commander of the Australian Submarine Force. RADM Buckley’s sea service was extensively in the Western Pacific, fostering a deep interest in the region.
RADM Buckley has served in several senior staff appointments including as Director Submarine Capability, Director General Navy Operations, Director General Navy People and Head of Nuclear Submarine Capability. He is a graduate of the Australian Defence and Strategic Studies course where he received the Secretary of Defence - Chief of Defence Force prize.
RADM Buckley was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in June 2015 for his contribution to the Submarine Capability and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for exceptional service in senior leadership roles within the Royal Australian Navy in January 2024. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Strategy and Policy from the University of New South Wales, and a Masters of International Relations from Deakin University.
RADM Buckley is married to Ingrid and they have 3 sons, Xavier, Joel and Marcus. RADM Buckley maintains a keen interest in global affairs and enjoys casual BBQs with family and friends. He is an enthusiastic participant in outdoor pursuits, including surfing, ski paddling, trail running and mountain biking.
Shipping Australia Limited
Melwyn Noronha—Chief Executive Officer
Melwyn is a Master Mariner (class 1) who has decades of seafaring experience on a wide range of cargo ships.
He joined Shipping Australia in 2015 as the General Manager Technical Services and Industry Policy and has progressed to Deputy Chief Executive Officer.
In addition to providing a wide range of policy and maritime advice to industry, ministers and officials, Melwyn is well-known to the shipping industry having organised and run a wide range of Shipping Australia committees, briefings, functions and events.
A former shipping and ports administrator at state and federal government, Melwyn has brought a wealth of shipping policy and administration experience to Shipping Australia and its membership. He is also a graduate of the Australian Maritime College.
Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF)
Margy Osmond—Chief Executive Officer
Margy Osmond is the Chief Executive Officer of the Tourism & Transport Forum and has been in this role since October 2014.
Margy has extensive experience in media, policy development and advocacy, politics and government relations, membership organisations and public affairs.
Margy is the co-Chair of the Tourism Group of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum [ANZLF] and co-Chair of the Safe Border Group established to assist both governments to create the Trans- Tasman ‘bubble’. She has actively led the visitor economy industries through the bushfires and Covid- 19.
Margy has a wide range of Board experience, she is currently on the Boards of TTF, Sydney World Pride 2023, UITPANZ and sits on the Federal Government’s Biosecurity Futures Group and a range of State Treasury groups focused on restarting the wider economy.
Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA International)
Donna Jones - Australian President
Donna brings 30 years of professional experience, with the past 12 years dedicated to the transport sector, including significant contributions to both freight, maritime and passenger services.
As the Founder and Executive Director of Asheville Consulting Group, Donna specialises in transport projects encompassing procurement and tenders, advisory services, business transformation, project management, and strategy development. She is a recognised specialist in transport workforce development and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), having received an Australian Railway Association (ARA) award for her work in this area.
Donna's extensive industry experience includes roles at Patricks (Asciano) and Transdev, where she contributed to the operations and maintenance of numerous transport networks across Australia and New Zealand. She has led major projects including the Australian Federal Government's consultation response to the update of the Disability Standards for Accessible Public Transport 2002 reform.
Under her leadership, Asheville Consulting Group has spearheaded projects focused on customer experience, sustainability, social procurement, anti-social behaviour, workforce development, accessibility, safety, modern slavery, and local jobs and participation.
Donna holds a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Board of Directors for Not-for-Profit organisations in Melbourne, Victoria.