Paul MacGillivary is a long‑time seafarer welfare advocate and currently a Human Rights at Sea (HRAS) Global Ambassador. As a vocal advocate for HRAS’s Maritime Levy Campaign in Australia for the past four years, he has been urging the federal government to create a national, long-term funding model for seafarer welfare and ensure Australia’s obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC). The Campaign’s core pitch: develop existing maritime levy structures – with minimal legislative amendment – to sustainably fund welfare services for seafarers arriving in Australian ports.
Starting in a Canadian shipyard in 1973, MacGillivary has worked 52 years in the maritime industry, 37 of those spent in technical, safety and project management. He is a certified Chief Engineer and holds a Master of Science degree in Maritime Management from Maine Maritime Academy.
Here’s a snapshot of his work and impact:
- Founding Director of the National Seafarers’ Welfare Advisory Council (renamed Australian Seafarers’ Welfare Council / ASWC)
Co-inaugurated the Council in 2001, which created a network of 12 Port Welfare Committees across Australia. These committees identify seafarers’ needs, advocate for welfare agencies, and liaise with ASWC to maintain service standards. - Initiator of new Port Welfare Committees
Recently established PWCs in the ports of Bunbury, Albany and Esperance, Western Australia, the Flinders Group of ports, South Australia and re-established PWC Fremantle. - Pandemic Response Agent
Wrote feature articles to highlight how COVID‑19 restrictions severely impacted seafarers’ mental health and shore leave, and to emphasise the necessity of including professional mental health support along with updated communication tools. - Policy & Funding Advocate
Promotes sustainable, legislated seafarer welfare funding – through a Maritime Levy model like New Zealand's – to reduce reliance on donations and volunteer networks for shore-based facilities. - Human Rights Activist
Through HRAS, he has accelerated his role as a proponent for countries with ports, in general, and Australia, in particular, to meet their obligations under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006.
Paul blends hands‑on local action with (inter)national‑level advocacy.