Pirate Congress 2015/Motions

PM-1: Distributed Digital Currencies and Economies
Put by: Policy Development Committee

Motion
To accept the proposed Distributed Digital Currencies and Economies Policy https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions/Policy_and_Platform/Distributed_Digital_Currencies_and_Economies_Policy

Rationale
This policy seeks to “expand civil and digital liberties”, into the realm of cryptocurrencies, which we consider to be a fundamental “freedom of the emergent global information society”. We consider it a necessary policy component to “represent the emerging digital society” and a key instance of “finding new ways to promote trust between citizens”.

PM-2: Digital Liberties
Put by: Policy Development Committee

Motion
To replace the existing Digital liberties Policy with the proposed Digital liberties Policy https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions/Policy_and_Platform/Digital_Liberties_Update

Rationale
This is an update to the existing Digital Liberties policy. It now refers to the reality of data retention instead of the potential risks. We consider it to be strongly aligned to the constitutional principles of Pirate Party Australia. It addresses the very first line “Pirate Party Australia strives to protect and expand civil and digital liberties” of the constitution.

PM-3: Cultural Policy
Put by: Policy Development Committee

Motion
To accept the proposed Cultural Policy https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions/Policy_and_Platform/Cultural_Policy

Rationale
This policy pro-actively addresses the very first line of our constitution “to protect and expand civil and digital liberties, social equality and freedom of culture”. It’s goal is to expand the function of libraries; one of our core cultural institutions that has been under attack in recent times. It seeks to expand the role of these intellectual freedom zones to limit the influence of the “Overbearing and restrictive private monopolies” referenced in our constitution. It enhances “free culture, civil liberty and intellectual rights”.

PM-4: Foreign policy and treaty making
Put by: Policy Development Committee

Motion
To replace the existing Foreign policy and treaty making Policy with the proposed Foreign policy and treaty making Policy https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions/Policy_and_Platform/Foreign_Policy_and_Treaty_Making_Update

Rationale
This policy proposal updates the existing Foreign Policy. These changes introduce a core strategy of defensive (as opposed to offensive) development of our military, since to do otherwise, would be against our core principles of "free culture and civil liberty", in relation to the citizens of foreign nations. The changes also strengthen our stance on treaty making, with specific reference to their use to secretively compel Australian legislative directions without proper public or parliamentary consultation. Treaties established in this way are an offence to our constitutional principles of "free culture and civil liberty" as well as our constitution objection to political corruption and our support for open and transparent democratic processes.

PM-5: Health
Put by: Policy Development Committee

Motion
To accept the proposed Health Policy https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions/Policy_and_Platform/Health_Policy

Rationale
We introduce a brand new policy position on Health. The health system itself is not a core area of concern in pirate politics, but the manner in which it is implemented, most definitely is.

We are constitutionally opposed to:
 * "Overbearing and restrictive private monopolies constructed via regimes of antiquated, unfair and unbalanced laws which prevent the free development of culture and ideas are detrimental to financial, economic and cultural outcomes for the citizens of Australia." and
 * "The Party seeks to have these values reflected in the laws and institutions of Australia.".

This policy addresses how we should improve the health system in Australia, in line with these principles. It deals with citizens right to privacy in matters of health and it makes connections with our existing pharmaceutical patents policies as a path to greater efficiency.

PM-6: Energy, Environment and Climate Change
Put by: Policy Development Committee

Motion
To replace the existing Energy, environment and climate change Policy with the proposed Energy, environment and climate change Policy https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions/Policy_and_Platform/Energy,_Environment_and_Climate_Change_Update

Rationale
We introduce changes to the existing Energy policy.

Pirate Party Australia is constitutionally opposed to "Overbearing and restrictive private monopolies". The existing energy regulatory and financial systems surrounding energy production seem to be designed to prolong the existence of our existing CO2 producing coal power generation, while providing very little incentive for the disruptive but cleaner renewable solutions. This policy seeks to turn this on its head, by supporting a more distributed "prosumer" energy marketplace, fundamentally improving the efficiency and cost, while reducing environmental impact.

PM-7: Education
Put by: Policy Development Committee

Motion
To replace the existing Education Policy with the proposed Education Policy https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions/Policy_and_Platform/Education_Update

Rationale
The policy proposal is an update to the existing education policy. Primarily, it extends it to incorporate a National Science Plan. Pirate Party Australia constitutionally supports "free development of culture and ideas" and "intellectual rights reform". This new National Science Plan seeks to undo the slashing of science funding in Australia, and thereby support the development of the ideas that will define our future together. It proposes to do so in a manner that provides incentives for individual researchers to commercialise their discoveries, rather than imposing bureaucratic restrictions on their activities.

PM-8: Civil Liberties
Put by: Policy Development Committee

Motion
To replace the existing Civil liberties Policy with the proposed Civil liberties Policy https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions/Policy_and_Platform/Civil_Liberties_Update

Rationale
This policy updates the existing Civil Liberties policy. It extends protections within the Victorian Abortion Law Reform Act 2008 nationwide, to provide baseline legal abortion services across Australia. It recommends the repeal of the National Security Legislation Amendment Bill (No.1) 2014.

We believe that these changes are in line with Pirate Party Australia's constitutional support for civil liberties.

PM-9: Tax and Welfare
Put by: Policy Development Committee

Motion
To replace the existing Tax and welfare Policy with the proposed Tax and welfare Policy https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions/Policy_and_Platform/Tax_and_Welfare_Update

Rationale
This version removes some redundant sections. The proposal to index fuel excise has been legislated since we first included it. The cash flow tax proposal has also been removed. It has lost some value as the mainstream debate has overtaken it and the upcoming white paper will effectively make it obsolete. Some preamble paragraphs have also been tightened up a bit to improve editorial.

The removal of those parts allows the land tax proposal to be explained in a bit more detail.

The policy includes a heavy focus on simplification, which supports the principle of government transparency.

PM-10: Declaration of platform and principles
Put by: Policy Development Committee

Motion
To replace the existing Declaration of platform and principles with the proposed Declaration of platform and principles https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions/Policy_and_Platform/Declaration_of_Principles_Update

Rationale
Our policy set has expanded considerably since the original declaration was written. This new version covers the sweep of policies as they are now and does more to link them to our constitutional principles and fundamental values. It also makes explicit that our policy set has a zero cost, which should be a useful selling point for candidates in the future.