Minutes/National Council/2012-05-22

Attendance

 * David Campbell
 * Simon Frew
 * Brendan Molloy
 * Rodney Serkowski

National Congress 2012

 * $550/day at UniMelb too expensive; no other reasonable options except for Trade Halls Victoria
 * Decision to be made on:
 * Allow one more week to search for suitable Melbourne venues
 * Find a location in NSW
 * Think of suggestions for congress theme for next National Council Meeting

Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement

 * In discussion since 2005
 * IP chapter similar to provisions from draft TPPA proposed by the USA
 * Deliberately vague terminology, e.g. "service provider"
 * Extension of trademarks
 * Details of treaty only revealed after signing
 * Very little mainstream media coverage

TPP Plans for 24/5/12

 * Point out to DFAT several recommendations of the Productivity Comission violated
 * Demand release of text
 * Brendan and Simon to travel to Canberra, Rodney unconfirmed
 * Opportunity to met with Senator Ludlam (Greens) and Dr. Rimmer (ANU)
 * Opportunity to flyer
 * Public consultations by DFAT are a joke; stakeholder feedback not used constructively

Online sign up form

 * "it's pretty cool, doesn't afraid of anything" - Brendan
 * Workaround implemented for most bugs
 * 90 members acquired this month (5% via paper form)
 * 20% increase in the membership base
 * 25 - 40% of new members are female
 * Adequate buffer of members attained to achieve AEC registration successfully

Bank accounts

 * Letters drafted
 * Waiting on NAB to open accounts
 * Bank account details on existing printed promotional material to be blacked out
 * Existing account to be maintained for one financial year and signatures changed

Freedom of Information system

 * Proposed name: "Privateer"
 * Effectively a streamlined bug tracker for FOI requests
 * 1 - 2 months development time

Action items

 * Send email to Melbourne chapter informing them of the 1 week deadline to find an alternate venue