Policy Proposal Compliance Statements 2015

As of 2015, new policy proposals or platform amendment proposals must be accompanied by a statement that discusses why and how the amendment is in line with the Party Principles as defined in Part I of the Party Constitution.

Distributed Digital Currencies and Economies Policy 2015 proposal
This policy seeks to "expand civil and digital liberties", into the realm of crypto-currencies, 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".

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Distributed_Digital_Currencies_and_Economies_Policy_2015_proposal

Digital liberties 2015 update proposal
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.

http://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Digital_liberties_2015_update_proposal

Cultural Policy 2015 proposal
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".

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Cultural_Policy_2015_proposal

Foreign Policy and Treaty Making 2015 update proposal
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.

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Foreign_Policy_and_Treaty_Making_2015_update_proposal

Health Policy proposal
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.

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Health_Policy_proposal

Energy, Environment and Climate Change 2015 update proposal
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.

http://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Energy,_Environment_and_Climate_Change_2015_update_proposal

Education 2015 update proposal
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.

http://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Education_2015_update_proposal

Civil liberties 2015 update proposal
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.

http://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Civil_liberties_2015_update_proposal

Tax 2015 update proposal
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.

http://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Tax_2015_update_proposal