BIA advocates to government to advance the interests of industry
One of the four key priorities for the BIA is to Deliver Government Advocacy. To achieve this BIA represents members both proactively and reactively to government policies and regulations.
The BIA makes formal submissions at all levels of government across technical, regulatory, program, project and policy on key issues concerning boating participation, waterways access, infrastructure, boating regulation, marina leasing, small business operations and more.
BIA considers opportunities in the areas of:
- Local, State, Federal and International Government relationships
- Policy changes intelligence
- Issues management
- Research and analysis of industry statistics
- Government grants and partnerships
- Strategic alliances.
Our core objectives in our relationship with Government are:
- Promote and protect access to waterways and associated infrastructure
- Promote support for business and jobs
- Promote private investment in the boating industry and viable commercial relationships with Government
- Promote safe boating and a safe and responsible boating industry
- Promote environmentally sustainable practices in boating and the boating industry.
This work supports boating and the industry.
Committee Representation
An important function of the BIA is to represent the interests of the industry at local, State, national and international level – making sure the membership is represented and key issues are brought to the attention of the relevant decision and policy makers.
Get involved with BIA committees representing industry specialist and regional groups, including marinas, boatbuilders, dealers and brokers, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland Councils, or, with your peers’ support, represent the membership as a Director of the BIA.
International
| Committee | BIA Representative |
| International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) – Executive Committee | Darren Vaux (President) |
| ICOMIA – Sustainability Committee | Neil Patchett (Vice Chair) |
| ICOMIA – Climate Change Working Group | Neil Patchett (Chair) |
| ICOMIA – Marina Committee | Darren Vaux |
| ICOMIA – Grow Boating Committee | Neil Patchett |
| ICOMIA – Exporters Committee | David Good |
| ICOMIA – Marketing Intelligence | Nik Parker |
| ICOMIA – Superyachts Committee | David Good |
| ICOMIA – Technical Committee | Nik Parker |
| ICOMIA – Diversity Committee | Neil Patchett |
| International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO) | Neil Patchett |
| International Small Craft Committee (ISO/TC188) | Nik Parker |
| Recreational Boating Leadership Council (USA) | Neil Patchett |
National
| Committee | BIA Representative |
| ACCI General (eg., COVID, VET etc) | Neil Patchett |
| ACCI – Tourism Committee | Neil Patchett |
| ACCI – Employment & Skills Committee | Neil Patchett |
| AMSA National Safety Committee | Andrew Fielding / Neil Patchett |
| AMSA Industry Reference Committee MO505 Qualifications | Nik Parker |
| Australia New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group (ANZSBEG) | Neil Patchett |
| Australian Recreational Fishing Foundation | Neil Patchett |
| Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Marine Pest Sectorial Committee | Andrew Fielding / Neil Patchett |
| Mining and Automotive Skills Alliance (marine mechanics) | Andrew Fielding / Neil Patchett |
| Safe Work Australia Maritime Committee | Neil Patchett |
| Standards Australia AG006 (LPG) | George Bolton |
| Standards Australia CE030 (Maritime Structures) | Darren Vaux |
| Standards Australia CS 060 (Lifejackets, Deck Harnesses & Emergency Signals) | Richard Hopkins / Neil Patchett |
| Standards Australia CS114 (Small Craft) | Nik Parker / Troy Glass / Neville Whittley |
| Standards Australia EL057 (Boat and Marina Electrics) | Nik Parker / Brian Gatt / Peter Fowler |
| Standards Australia WS037 (Grey Water Treatments) | Nik Parker |
State
New South Wales
| Committee | BIA Representative |
| Commercial Vessels Advisory Group (CVAG) | Neil Patchett |
| Maritime Advisory Council (MAC) | Darren Vaux |
| Maritime Infrastructure Delivery Office | Neil Patchett |
| Maritime Property Advisory Group (MPAG) | Neil Patchett |
| Recreational Vessels Advisory Group (RVAG) | Neil Patchett |
| TAFE NSW Marine Industry Collaboration Reference Group | Neil Patchett |
| Working Harbour Coalition | Neil Patchett |
Queensland
| Committee | BIA Representative |
| Gold Coast Coastal Hazard Adaption External Advisory Group | Neil Patchett |
| Maritime Networking Group | Neil Patchett |
| Qld Recreational Boating Committee (QRBC) | Andrew Fielding / Neil Patchett |
| Queensland Maritime Committee | Andrew Fielding / Brett Bolton |
| Queensland Reference Group for Advanced Manufacturing | Andrew Fielding / Neil Patchett |
| SE QLD Regional Safety Committee (AMSA) | Neil Patchett |
| War on Wrecks | Andrew Fielding |
South Australia
| Committee | BIA Representative |
| River Murray Boating & Recreational Advisory Group (RMBRAG) | George Bolton |
| SA Marine Biosecurity Forum | George Bolton |
| SA Regional Safety Committee (AMSA) | Nik Parker |
| South Australian Boating Facilities Advisory Committee (SABFAC) | George Bolton |
| South Australian Water Safety Committee | George Bolton |
| Tourism Industry Council SA (TICSA) Visitor Economy Coalition Committee | George Bolton |
