The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) is to create or relocate up to 69 positions in regional cities around the country in a decentralisation plan announced by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack.
Mr McCormack said many of the positions would be moved from Canberra with others created in offices already in the regions.
“AMSA provides a frontline service for Australia’s maritime industry,” Mr McCormack said.
“Last time I looked there weren’t too many boats or ships in Canberra.”
He said the initiative would include a regional headquarters at Coffs Harbour where up to 50 AMSA jobs would be established as well as three positions at a new office in Airlie Beach.
“This is as well as expanding its existing regional footprint to provide up to 16 further positions in Hobart, Cairns, Gladstone, Mackay, Darwin, Geraldton, Karratha and Port Hedland, taking the total relocated to 69 jobs,” Mr McCormack said.
Minister for Decentralisation, Senator Bridget McKenzie said AMSA’s new Airlie Beach office would expand its network in Far North Queensland.
“We want the benefits of decentralisation to be felt across a range of regions and communities and this announcement is a major step toward achieving that plan,” Senator McKenzie said.
“Our Decentralisation Agenda has relocated more than 1,150 jobs since 2013, and this move demonstrates our commitment to supporting economic growth in regional Australia by delivering even more regional jobs,” she said.
