Pirate Congress 2013/Nominations

Adding a Nomination
If you wish to nominate yourself for a position, please create your nomination using the template below. If you need assistance adding your nomination, shoot an email to secretary@pirateparty.org.au and we'll help you out.

{{Candidate| |

Catty McCat
I am a cat!| How dare you question my justification!| I purr.| Maybe, I am a cat.| }}
 * None

= Nominations =

President
{{Candidate| |

Melanie Thomas
I'm currently QLD senate candidate and member of the Policy Development Committee, as well as being active on the Election Committee and the recently formed Protest for Privacy committee. I'm also a strong member of the Queensland branch, with secondary responsibility to run meetings in the absence of the Coordinator. These positions are seeing me forge strong connections within the community that hold similar views to the Pirate Party, such as the QLD Greens. This enables me to actively collaborate and assist with the building of a movement that can help us move closer to many of our primary goals.

As a senate candidate, I have a strong knowledge of the party policies and the ability to break these down for general public consumption. I believe I possess the qualities necessary for the President position, that being leadership ability, a mind for strategy, the energy to manage multiple priorities and the passion for the party to guide us ahead as we grow into a viable force for change.| As senate candidate, I've developed my mindset to be a public-facing advocate for the party. I wish to take this advocacy further, and operate on a national and international level. As senate candidate I have begun to forge connections with the Berlin Pirates and as president, I'd seek to grow and nurture these ties. I have a strong vision for the Australian Pirate Party and I want to see us take our rightful place as a leading vehicle for change. Everyone works so incredibly hard within their respective roles in the party, and its my pledge to be a strong, guiding, supportive force, capable of taking the party to the next level as a competitive political force.|


 * Policy Development Committee - have chaired multiple working groups
 * Qld Senate candidate - assisted in the strategy for the 2013 election

To advance the party further I'll continue growing relationships with relevant internal and external connections. I'll tirelessly contact the media as required and attend any forums, conferences and otherwise as required. I'll grow the good reputation of the party with relevant organisations in the areas connected to our policies. And I'll always be available to provide positive leadership and support when needed.| I agreed with the party platform so strongly, I felt compelled to join the Pirates. I have never been a member of another political party. As a member of the policy development committee, I have assisted in the development and writing of many of our policies, and in particular, have assisted in the introduction of policy outside of our initial core tenets. I agree 100% with all of our policies and stand completely dedicated to them as senate candidate.

As primarily a civil libertarian, I do have a particular affinity with the policies developed around civil liberties preservation, privacy, digital liberties, and freedom of information. Now has never been such an important time in history to be an active member of the Pirate Party. | }}
 * None

{{Candidate| |

Simon Frew
I have served Pirate Party Australia to the best of my ability since I first joined. I have extensive experience on the full range of issues that we hold dear (see below for specific examples). I am a good public speaker, competent and experienced at debating issues and fielding questions from journalists. I have been involved in politics for the last seventeen years and have a wealth of experience to bring to the position. I feel that I am a strong advocate for Pirate politics and have a lot of experience in handing the many facets of running and representing the Party. I have served diligently as Deputy President for the last two years and think I am capable of stepping up and providing the Party with stronger, more articulate leadership going forward.

We have an important role to play in Australian politics. We have already had some influence, but this needs to grow in the face of mass surveillance, secret treaties like the TPPA and out of touch politicians. I think that by encouraging broader participation from our members, whilst encouraging our growth in numbers we have a promising future and a greater impact on Australian politics. I have been a member of the Pirate Party since our first AFK meet up, having served on the National Council for the last three years, first being co-Secretary and Deputy President the last two years. I am currently also the NSW State Coordinator and the Campaign Director for the upcoming Federal Election.

I have represented Pirate Party Australia on a variety of platforms, speaking at protests in support of Wikileaks (see attached video below), debated the copyright lobby at the Sydney Film Festival and was the delegate to the 2013 Pirate Party International General Assembly (farcical as it was). I have been a tireless campaigner against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, authoring our contribution for the Melbourne round, attending many consultations including the up-coming consultation a couple of days before congress. I have helped work on a number of submissions to government inquiries including the National Security and Copyright Inquiries. Most recently I called for and helped organise protests against the NSA and blanket surveillance after the PRISM spying scandal broke.
 * I agree wholeheartedly with the Pirate Party platform and ideals. I came to the conclusion that we needed politics like the Pirate Party and was on the look-out for like-minded individuals when I encountered PPAU in its infancy and promptly signed up, helping forge the Party from its beginnings to what we are today.

My passion for politics pre-dates the Pirate Party and consequently I have quite a varied political history which is briefly sketched out below.

- 1996 to 1998 member of Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance. (Were too authoritarian)

- Campaigned against racism and Pauline Hanson's One Nation party.

- Started working with the libertarian socialist and Anarchist movements (much the same thing)

- Campaigned for equitable treatment for refugees

- Worked on local environmental issues

- Involved in student politics until 2007 including two years on Wollongong University Student Association Council

- Wrote regularly for the Tertangala (Wollongong University student paper) in that time

- Became increasingly interested in the free software movement, Creative Commons and social media

- As a musician I have made all of my music available under Creative Commons licence |

}}
 * This is my most preferred position
 * Wikileaks Speech

Deputy President
{{Candidate| |

David Crafti
Currently, I am on the Policy Development Committee, where my areas of interest have been on transparent governance (whistleblowers and FOI), constitutionally enshrining a Bill of Rights and civil liberties. Prior to that, I was on the dispute resolution committee, and as an active member of the Victorian crew, I've spoken at rallies on behalf of the party. I was also the first President of the party, back in 2009, and I worked on establishing a presence in the media, as well as working on press releases, and helped lay down some of the party's foundations as a formal entity. By the end of this year, I should be completed with my Master of Laws degree, which I have spent 4 years completing, not to practice, but to establish a credible position from which to advocate for Pirate ideals.| I would like to contribute to the direction of the party and its policies, and be involved in developing the strategy that helps the party to achieve its goals.| I had been politically frustrated with no viable outlet before the Pirate Party was created. It was the first party that I ever saw that meshed perfectly (or as close as that can ever get) with what I believe, i.e. civil libertarianism, and extended those ideals to new areas, reaching new conclusions. I never saw Pirate Party Australia as being just about IP, and I have been privileged to have an opportunity to help the policies of the party grow consistently with these ideals, into rational, evidence-driven areas.| }}
 * President - 2009-2010
 * Helping lay the foundations of the party's structure
 * Working with the media to get our story and positions out
 * Working on press releases
 * Organising and speaking at an anti-censorship rally - My speech: http://www.craftiscranium.com/2010/03/anti-censorship-rally-follow-up.html
 * Dispute Resolutions Committee - 2010-2012
 * It was nice and peaceful, so no disputes to resolve
 * Policy Development Committee - 2013
 * Worked on many of the policies to be voted on at the congress
 * Member - 2009-2013
 * Spoke twice at pro-Wikileaks protests - My speech: http://www.craftiscranium.com/2012/06/supporting-julian-assange-melbourne.html
 * I am helping to organise the Victorian Protect our Privacy rally coming up in July
 * http://www.craftiscranium.com

{{Candidate| |

Brendan Molloy
I have been the Secretary of the Party for the last 3 years, a member since shortly after founding in 2008, and am currently the lead senate candidate on the NSW ballot. I have represented the Party at several relevant events, such as the Australian Internet Governance Forum (auIGF) and Australian Digital Alliance (ADA) forum. Just recently I flew to Western Australia to speak at a forum about our policies and recruit members so we can be a strong party in every state.

Also, as a strong advocate against the provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, I have attended all of the public briefings, and will be meeting with DFAT a few days before Congress to discuss how they can be actually transparent regarding this treaty, and other treaties in the future. Prior to this, I worked heavily against ACTA, and assisted on multiple of the Party's submissions to the ALRC and Senate. In the role of Secretary I have done a lot of the administration of the Party over the last three years, and I would love the opportunity to take an even more public facing role, with less busy work.

I would be able to focus on advocating the Party's policies and values, and less time managing Party affairs, and building up the Party's network of supporters and advocates in the process.
 * Member since 2008
 * Secretary for last 3 years
 * Campaigns assistance, such as:
 * #natsecinquiry Petition
 * Protect Our Privacy #prismbreak protest website
 * Several freedom of information requests targeting censorship and free trade agreement information
 * Party services and architecture, such as:
 * Managing our IRC services
 * Managing, coding and ensuring the security of the membership database
 * Preparing the election software used for the Policy and Preselection Meeting and this coming Congress
 * Public representations on behalf of the party, such as:
 * Australian Digital Alliance copyright forums
 * auIGF - Australian Internet Governance Forum (last year)
 * Meetings with DFAT on ACTA and TPP
 * Flying to Perth to participate in GetUp forum last month (#thanksgetup)
 * Working with the Programming Working Group on our deliberative liquid democracy project Polly
 * Working with the Programming Working Group on our deliberative liquid democracy project Polly

That's a list of what I can think of off the top of my head what I've contributed to the movement in recent times. I will continue to actively advocate our policies and work with other groups to ensure our voice is heard in the public arena. The Pirate Party is the only movement I have ever been a part of, and I cherish the fact that I am lucky enough to be in a position that I can guide the development of such a down to earth movement. With a focus on truely evidence-based policy development, I can trust that our policies are build on a bedrock of research, and am more comfortable advocating even the most difficult policies due to this.

My pet policy area would be information freedom: government transparency, censorship and data retention. Dismantling this culture of ceding to authority without justification is one of the most difficult issues of our time, and I look forward to fighting it along side all of you. }}
 * Blog
 * Blog

{{Candidate| |

Simon Frew
I have served Pirate Party Australia to the best of my ability since I first joined. I have extensive experience on the full range of issues that we hold dear (see below for specific examples). I am a good public speaker, competent and experienced at debating issues and fielding questions from journalists. I have been involved in politics for the last seventeen years and have a wealth of experience to bring to the position. I feel that I am a strong advocate for Pirate politics and have a lot of experience in handing the many facets of running and representing the Party. I have served diligently as Deputy President for the last two years and am happy to serve in the same role going forward.

We have an important role to play in Australian politics. We have already had some influence, but this needs to grow in the face of mass surveillance, secret treaties like the TPPA and out of touch politicians. I think that by encouraging broader participation from our members, whilst encouraging our growth in numbers we have a promising future and a greater impact on Australian politics. I have been a member of the Pirate Party since our first AFK meet up, having served on the National Council for the last three years, first being co-Secretary and Deputy President the last two years. I am currently also the NSW State Coordinator and the Campaign Director for the upcoming Federal Election.

I have represented Pirate Party Australia on a variety of platforms, speaking at protests in support of Wikileaks (see attached video below), debated the copyright lobby at the Sydney Film Festival and was the delegate to the 2013 Pirate Party International General Assembly (farcical as it was). I have been a tireless campaigner against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, authoring our contribution for the Melbourne round, attending many consultations including the up-coming consultation a couple of days before congress. I have helped work on a number of submissions to government inquiries including the National Security and Copyright Inquiries. Most recently I called for and helped organise protests against the NSA and blanket surveillance after the PRISM spying scandal broke.
 * I agree wholeheartedly with the Pirate Party platform and ideals. I came to the conclusion that we needed politics like the Pirate Party and was on the look-out for like-minded individuals when I encountered PPAU in its infancy and promptly signed up, helping forge the Party from its beginnings to what we are today.

My passion for politics pre-dates the Pirate Party and consequently I have quite a varied political history which is briefly sketched out below.

}}
 * 1996 to 1998 member of Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance. (Were too authoritarian)
 * Campaigned against racism and Pauline Hanson's One Nation party.
 * Started working with the libertarian socialist and Anarchist movements (much the same thing)
 * Campaigned for equitable treatment for refugees
 * Worked on local environmental issues
 * Involved in student politics until 2007 including two years on Wollongong University Student Association Council
 * Wrote regularly for the Tertangala (Wollongong University student paper) in that time
 * Became increasingly interested in the free software movement, Creative Commons and social media
 * As a musician I have made all of my music available under Creative Commons licence |
 * This is my second most preferred position
 * Wikileaks Speech

{{Candidate| |

Melanie Thomas
I'm currently QLD senate candidate and member of the Policy Development Committee, as well as being active on the Election Committee and the recently formed Protest for Privacy committee. I'm also a strong member of the Queensland branch, with secondary responsibility to run meetings in the absence of the Coordinator. These positions are seeing me forge strong connections within the community that hold similar views to the Pirate Party, such as the QLD Greens. This enables me to actively collaborate and assist with the building of a movement that can help us move closer to many of our primary goals.

As a senate candidate, I have a strong knowledge of the party policies and the ability to break these down for general public consumption. I believe I possess the qualities necessary for the President position, that being leadership ability, a mind for strategy, the energy to manage multiple priorities and the passion for the party to guide us ahead as we grow into a viable force for change.| As senate candidate, I've developed my mindset to be a public-facing advocate for the party. I wish to take this advocacy further, and operate on a national and international level. As senate candidate I have begun to forge connections with the Berlin Pirates and as president, I'd seek to grow and nurture these ties. I have a strong vision for the Australian Pirate Party and I want to see us take our rightful place as a leading vehicle for change. Everyone works so incredibly hard within their respective roles in the party, and its my pledge to be a strong, guiding, supportive force, capable of taking the party to the next level as a competitive political force.|


 * Policy Development Committee - have chaired multiple working groups
 * Qld Senate candidate - assisted in the strategy for the 2013 election

To advance the party further I'll continue growing relationships with relevant internal and external connections. I'll tirelessly contact the media as required and attend any forums, conferences and otherwise as required. I'll grow the good reputation of the party with relevant organisations in the areas connected to our policies. And I'll always be available to provide positive leadership and support when needed.| I agreed with the party platform so strongly, I felt compelled to join the Pirates. I have never been a member of another political party. As a member of the policy development committee, I have assisted in the development and writing of many of our policies, and in particular, have assisted in the introduction of policy outside of our initial core tenets. I agree 100% with all of our policies and stand completely dedicated to them as senate candidate.

As primarily a civil libertarian, I do have a particular affinity with the policies developed around civil liberties preservation, privacy, digital liberties, and freedom of information. Now has never been such an important time in history to be an active member of the Pirate Party. | }}
 * None

{{Candidate| |

David Campbell
I have been heavily involved with the party in its formative years and have been the President 2 years running. I've performed the role of Treasurer for a local Rotary club before so I know my way around. I work in the banking industry and have a good knowledge of and training in the banking regulations of Australia. Location wise I live and work near branches of all of the major financial institutions.| I see a position where I could truly help the Pirate movement with my experience. I also wish to remain on the National Council but I feel it is someone else's turn to be President.| As President I have overseen our registration and progressively worked to maintain our transparent democratic administration. I wish to make our treasury far more accessible and transparent and reported on with far greater verbosity than it currently is. I have also contributed technical expertise in the past to the party which I always bring to the table.| I agree with and personally pursue all of the current Pirate Party platform and ideals and I am dedicated to the Pirate Party cause. Pirate Party Australia is my first venture into politics having not previously had an interest in politics beyond major issues that divide the nation.| }}
 * None.

Secretary
{{Candidate| |

Daniel Judge
I am committed to seeing the Pirate Party become an important political force in Australia and recognise that to achieve this goal there needs to be someone to do the less exciting administrative tasks which ensure that an organisation can function effectively and engage its members.

I currently work full-time at the University of Wollongong as an "Analyst/Web Architect" (aka Web/Multimedia Programmer') and have done so for the past 11 years. In 2010 I completed a Bachelor of Internet Science and Technology with Distinction, having changed from half way through second year of an earlier Bachelor of Arts (History & Politics degree). I feel these give me a good awareness of IT issues as well as their associated socio-political ramifications.

Previously I worked the Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs at the Commonwealth Employment Service in various roles, ranging from in house Computer Trainer, to Case Manager of Long Term Unemployed, to administering large scale recruitment activities, running workshops, as well as a range of Administrative activities.

In addition to the above I also have completed certificates, diplomas and training courses in a number of areas such as Spanish Language, Electronics Technology, Office Administration, Multimedia Production and various in house employer training in matters such as dispute resolution, cross cultural awareness, indigenous affairs, time management, Equal Employment Opportunity, and interview panels.

My education and employment history has given me a broad experience in dealing with people from a wide array of backgrounds and motivations and allow me to have a good grasp in many different fields of interest.

I am a father of three and have traveled extensively around the world. In addition to seeing an opportunity to further my contribution to the Pirate movement in practical terms I see this as an opportunity to support others in the party to concentrate their skills and talents in areas better suited to their expertise and freeing them from some of the more mundane administrative tasks so that they can focus on the upcoming election and broader political fight & party building.| Since joining the Pirate Party I have taken on the task of marking up and maintaining meeting minutes on the wiki for General Meetings, National Council meetings and other Committee meetings, taking down the minutes for many meetings (be that live, or at times scouring the chat logs), and doing my best to keep abreast of all facets of party activities ensuring I have an understanding of what is going on at any time and thus being best able to assist officers and members to achieve their own tasks and goals when necessary.

I currently serve on the Policy Development Committee, helping to draft, approve and broaden current and future party policies. I have worked on the Registration Work Group, matching the details of our membership against the Electoral roll and where necessary contacting numerous members to update their information, so as to facilitate the successful registration of the Pirate Party with the AEC. I have assisted when possible in the writing and proofing of a number of Press Releases and review/inquiry submissions.

I have also established and maintain a number of wiki resources such as the National Security Inquiry page and NSA Surveillance/PRISM pages with the intent to broaden these to encompass a wider array of issues and events.

It is my goal as Secretary to facilitate the smooth running of the party, its activities and support the party co-ordinators and other officers in their own activities, as well as broaden the active membership of Pirate Party and try to engage as many people as possible into becoming more active participants in the Pirate Party. In the Pirate Party I have finally found a political party and movement that I feel has the right mix of policies, principles and democratic practice. I cannot escape the fact that I feel that the broadening of the surveillance state is the biggest threat to our way of life and the democratic future of the next generations. Meanwhile the Internet stands to be one of the most crucial tools and one of the best opportunities to enable the people to empower themselves, educate themselves and set things right. Similarly it could also be a great danger should it be subverted by those who fear it, or who stand to gain by turning it against the population. Preventing this outcome is imperative to deciding the direction of society in coming years. As such I wholeheartedly support the Pirate Party platform and its ideals.

I have a long history of being involved in politics having many decades ago been a member of the Labor Party, however I quickly became disillusioned with the internal machinations of the ALP and resigned long ago. I then became involved in what is now the Socialist Alliance, but was not comfortable with many of their actions and ideals, not least of which was a far too authoritarian nature.

During the late 90's early 00's I was involved in many grass-roots local groups and campaigns around local environmental issues, Freedom for East Timor, Anti-War, refugee issues and opposing racism and Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party.

Having largely left the political scene due to family illnesses, a desire to raise a family and the drive to complete my University degree, I had observed the Pirate Party with interest from its foundation days, finally joining just over a year ago due to an overwhelming desire to help the party achieve its successful registration. Having done so, I now haven't looked back and am grateful to finally find a political party that matches my own views and principles in regard to transparency, participatory democracy, information technology, and the focus on digital rights and civil liberties. }}
 * My IRC Handle is "Feenicks" - which therefore is what some people may know me by.
 * My IRC Handle is "Feenicks" - which therefore is what some people may know me by.

Deputy Secretary
{{Candidate| |

Mozart Olbrycht-Palmer
I have been the Party's Press Officer for nearly two years, and Deputy Secretary since last Congress. I have contributed to many of the Party's efforts — at least 100 press releases, a revised version of the Platform, and submissions on patents, copyright, technological protection measures, national security, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement and more. I am thoroughly familiar with Party policy and our internal rules and procedures. I hold a Bachelor of Music, and am currently studying law.| As Deputy Secretary, I have assisted with the administration of the Party. I believe my assistance was useful and helped in achieving the Party's registration and continued upkeep. While I feel that I am not the best at administration, I am largely familiar with the protocols and procedures involved in keeping this Party running. If there are no other candidates to suitably fill this role, I believe I could maintain the status quo adequately and provide support to whoever the next Secretary will be.| My contributions so far have included:
 * Press Officer — nearly two years.
 * Deputy Secretary — 12 months.
 * Significant contributions to submissions for reviews and inquiries.
 * Member of the Pirate Parties International Court of Arbitration (2012).
 * Worked with several other Pirate Parties around the world.

I will attempt to maintain the same level of efficient administration that has underpinned this Party's successes.| I have never been a member of another political movement or party. I do not disagree with any of our policies. However, as with all things it would be impossible not to have personal interests. My main interests lie in copyright, patents and transparency, however I respect the research that has gone into our policies and support them all.| }}
 * This is my least preferred position.
 * Blog

{{Candidate| |

Joseph Miles
I've helped to establish a local community radio organisation, being elected its first President. While I am relatively new to PPAU, being the lead Victorian Senate Candidate, part of the Policy Development Committee and Election Committee has me addicted to a very active role with the Party. Helping to successfully organise events like Protect Our Privacy has shown me I can effectively communicate and organise disparate groups to a common end.|

The addictive nature of active membership can't be understated. I don't want to just sit back and enjoy the work of other members – I want to continue to help get the work done to further Pirate ideals.

Like the free software movement, Pirates have shown the value of motivated, talented people engaging in collaborative work. I'd like to play a strong supporting role for the many talented members to keep this amazing work going.|


 * Policy Development Committee
 * Election Committee
 * Senate Candidate for Victoria

This is what I plan to do over the next year, whether elected as Deputy Secretary or not;
 * Maintain a relevant, persistent Pirate voice in publications and public debate on our core ideals
 * Foster collaborative work
 * Grow and consolidate on relationships developed with other groups|

The platform and policies of PPAU are the only set in existence which actually make sense. That's why I joined. I haven't been a member of another party because of this. I have worked on the periphery of some free information and queer rights movements, but nothing to write home about, though as part of my welfare job I am constantly involved in advocacy work.|

}}
 * None

Treasurer
{{Candidate| |

Ben McGinnes
I have previously served with Linux Users of Victoria as Vice President, a role in which my position included arranging funding and sponsorship, recruiting guest speakers. At the time of my service, the association included approximately 1,100 people which is still slightly larger than the current size of the Pirate Party.| I believe I can help further the interests of the Party by beginning with a supporting position within the NC. My previous work with LUV in addition to volunteering with Civil Liberties Australia (CLA) places me in a position of some experience with different types of organisations. This in turn lends itself to being able to help shepherd the needs of the Party through whatever strange and twisted situations arise.| I have worked on a number of issues which advance the interests of the party, including being on the Policy Development Committee, the Elections Committee, I have been the Victorian State Coordinator since early this year and I co-wrote the Party submission to the National Security Inquiry last year.| I help write a decent portion of the policy we're taking to the election. As the policies are essentially based on the platform I do agree with that platform for the most part. In the rare circumstances where there is disagreement, that simply leads to a robust debate which strengthens the party. My previous party affiliation included a brief period in the Australian Democrats from late 1998 (just after the election) to mid 1999.| }}
 * This is my preferred position.
 * Website: Organised Adversary
 * IRC handles: Hasimir, Ben

Deputy Treasurer
{{Candidate| |

David Campbell
I have been heavily involved with the party in its formative years and have been the President 2 years running. I've performed the role of Treasurer for a local Rotary club before so I know my way around. I work in the banking industry and have a good knowledge of and training in the banking regulations of Australia. Location wise I live and work near branches of all of the major financial institutions.| I see a position where I could truly help the Pirate movement with my experience. I also wish to remain on the National Council but I feel it is someone else's turn to be President.| As President I have overseen our registration and progressively worked to maintain our transparent democratic administration. I wish to make our treasury far more accessible and transparent and reported on with far greater verbosity than it currently is. I have also contributed technical expertise in the past to the party which I always bring to the table.| I agree with and personally pursue all of the current Pirate Party platform and ideals and I am dedicated to the Pirate Party cause. Pirate Party Australia is my first venture into politics having not previously had an interest in politics beyond major issues that divide the nation.| }}
 * None.

Party Agent (if amended: Registered Officer)
{{Candidate| |

Brendan Molloy
I have been the Secretary of the Party for the last 3 years, a member since shortly after founding in 2008, and am currently the lead senate candidate on the NSW ballot. I have represented the Party at several relevant events, such as the Australian Internet Governance Forum (auIGF) and Australian Digital Alliance (ADA) forum. Just recently I flew to Western Australia to speak at a forum about our policies and recruit members so we can be a strong party in every state.

Also, as a strong advocate against the provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, I have attended all of the public briefings, and will be meeting with DFAT a few days before Congress to discuss how they can be actually transparent regarding this treaty, and other treaties in the future. Prior to this, I worked heavily against ACTA, and assisted on multiple of the Party's submissions to the ALRC and Senate. In the role of Secretary I have done a lot of the administration of the Party over the last three years, and I would love the opportunity to take an even more public facing role, with less busy work.

I would be able to focus on advocating the Party's policies and values, and less time managing Party affairs, and building up the Party's network of supporters and advocates in the process.
 * Member since 2008
 * Secretary for last 3 years
 * Campaigns assistance, such as:
 * #natsecinquiry Petition
 * Protect Our Privacy #prismbreak protest website
 * Several freedom of information requests targeting censorship and free trade agreement information
 * Party services and architecture, such as:
 * Managing our IRC services
 * Managing, coding and ensuring the security of the membership database
 * Preparing the election software used for the Policy and Preselection Meeting and this coming Congress
 * Public representations on behalf of the party, such as:
 * Australian Digital Alliance copyright forums
 * auIGF - Australian Internet Governance Forum (last year)
 * Meetings with DFAT on ACTA and TPP
 * Flying to Perth to participate in GetUp forum last month (#thanksgetup)
 * Working with the Programming Working Group on our deliberative liquid democracy project Polly
 * Working with the Programming Working Group on our deliberative liquid democracy project Polly

That's a list of what I can think of off the top of my head what I've contributed to the movement in recent times. I will continue to actively advocate our policies and work with other groups to ensure our voice is heard in the public arena. The Pirate Party is the only movement I have ever been a part of, and I cherish the fact that I am lucky enough to be in a position that I can guide the development of such a down to earth movement. With a focus on truely evidence-based policy development, I can trust that our policies are build on a bedrock of research, and am more comfortable advocating even the most difficult policies due to this.

My pet policy area would be information freedom: government transparency, censorship and data retention. Dismantling this culture of ceding to authority without justification is one of the most difficult issues of our time, and I look forward to fighting it along side all of you. }}
 * Blog
 * Blog

Councillor (if amended)
{{Candidate| |

Ben McGinnes
I have previously served with Linux Users of Victoria (LUV) as Vice President, a role in which my position included arranging funding and sponsorship, recruiting guest speakers. At the time of my service, the association included approximately 1,100 people which is still slightly larger than the current size of the Pirate Party.| I believe I can help further the interests of the Party by beginning with a supporting position within the NC. My previous work with LUV in addition to volunteering with Civil Liberties Australia (CLA) places me in a position of some experience with different types of organisations. This in turn lends itself to being able to help shepherd the needs of the Party through whatever strange and twisted situations arise.| I have worked on a number of issues which advance the interests of the party, including being on the Policy Development Committee, the Elections Committee, I have been the Victorian State Coordinator since early this year and I co-wrote the Party submission to the National Security Inquiry last year.| I help write a decent portion of the policy we're taking to the election. As the policies are essentially based on the platform I do agree with that platform for the most part. In the rare circumstances where there is disagreement, that simply leads to a robust debate which strengthens the party. My previous party affiliation included a brief period in the Australian Democrats from late 1998 (just after the election) to mid 1999.| }}
 * Website: Organised Adversary

{{Candidate| |

Brendan Molloy
I have been the Secretary of the Party for the last 3 years, a member since shortly after founding in 2008, and am currently the lead senate candidate on the NSW ballot. I have represented the Party at several relevant events, such as the Australian Internet Governance Forum (auIGF) and Australian Digital Alliance (ADA) forum. Just recently I flew to Western Australia to speak at a forum about our policies and recruit members so we can be a strong party in every state.

Also, as a strong advocate against the provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, I have attended all of the public briefings, and will be meeting with DFAT a few days before Congress to discuss how they can be actually transparent regarding this treaty, and other treaties in the future. Prior to this, I worked heavily against ACTA, and assisted on multiple of the Party's submissions to the ALRC and Senate. In the role of Secretary I have done a lot of the administration of the Party over the last three years, and I would love the opportunity to take an even more public facing role, with less busy work.

I would be able to focus on advocating the Party's policies and values, and less time managing Party affairs, and building up the Party's network of supporters and advocates in the process.
 * Member since 2008
 * Secretary for last 3 years
 * Campaigns assistance, such as:
 * #natsecinquiry Petition
 * Protect Our Privacy #prismbreak protest website
 * Several freedom of information requests targeting censorship and free trade agreement information
 * Party services and architecture, such as:
 * Managing our IRC services
 * Managing, coding and ensuring the security of the membership database
 * Preparing the election software used for the Policy and Preselection Meeting and this coming Congress
 * Public representations on behalf of the party, such as:
 * Australian Digital Alliance copyright forums
 * auIGF - Australian Internet Governance Forum (last year)
 * Meetings with DFAT on ACTA and TPP
 * Flying to Perth to participate in GetUp forum last month (#thanksgetup)
 * Working with the Programming Working Group on our deliberative liquid democracy project Polly
 * Working with the Programming Working Group on our deliberative liquid democracy project Polly

That's a list of what I can think of off the top of my head what I've contributed to the movement in recent times. I will continue to actively advocate our policies and work with other groups to ensure our voice is heard in the public arena. The Pirate Party is the only movement I have ever been a part of, and I cherish the fact that I am lucky enough to be in a position that I can guide the development of such a down to earth movement. With a focus on truely evidence-based policy development, I can trust that our policies are build on a bedrock of research, and am more comfortable advocating even the most difficult policies due to this.

My pet policy area would be information freedom: government transparency, censorship and data retention. Dismantling this culture of ceding to authority without justification is one of the most difficult issues of our time, and I look forward to fighting it along side all of you. }}
 * Blog
 * Blog

{{Candidate| |

Mozart Olbrycht-Palmer
I have been the Party's Press Officer for nearly two years, and Deputy Secretary since last Congress. I have contributed to many of the Party's efforts — at least 100 press releases, a revised version of the Platform, and submissions on patents, copyright, technological protection measures, national security, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement and more. I am thoroughly familiar with Party policy and our internal rules and procedures. I hold a Bachelor of Music, and am currently studying law.| As Deputy Secretary, I have assisted with the administration of the Party. However, while I believe that while my assistance was useful and helped in achieving the Party's registration, I have more diverse skills and talents that could be put to use elsewhere. As a councillor I would be able to assist the Party in a more general role, rather than the very narrow bureaucratic work that the Secretariat has to deal with.| My contributions so far have included:
 * Press Officer — nearly two years.
 * Deputy Secretary — 12 months.
 * Significant contributions to submissions for reviews and inquiries.
 * Member of the Pirate Parties International Court of Arbitration (2012).
 * Worked with several other Pirate Parties around the world.

I will actively assist other members of the National Council on whichever tasks and projects assistance is required. I will be able to shift towards a more active role in connecting with activist groups and political parties, and attending conferences and events related to our policies.| I have never been a member of another political movement or party. I do not disagree with any of our policies. However, as with all things it would be impossible not to have personal interests. My main interests lie in copyright, patents and transparency, however I respect the research that has gone into our policies and support them all.| }}
 * This is my most preferred position.
 * Blog

{{Candidate| |

David Crafti
Currently, I am on the Policy Development Committee, where my areas of interest have been on transparent governance (whistleblowers and FOI), constitutionally enshrining a Bill of Rights and civil liberties. Prior to that, I was on the dispute resolution committee, and as an active member of the Victorian crew, I've spoken at rallies on behalf of the party. I was also the first President of the party, back in 2009, and I worked on establishing a presence in the media, as well as working on press releases, and helped lay down some of the party's foundations as a formal entity. By the end of this year, I should be completed with my Master of Laws degree, which I have spent 4 years completing, not to practice, but to establish a credible position from which to advocate for Pirate ideals.| I would like to contribute to the direction of the party and its policies, and be involved in developing the strategy that helps the party to achieve its goals.| I had been politically frustrated with no viable outlet before the Pirate Party was created. It was the first party that I ever saw that meshed perfectly (or as close as that can ever get) with what I believe, i.e. civil libertarianism, and extended those ideals to new areas, reaching new conclusions. I never saw Pirate Party Australia as being just about IP, and I have been privileged to have an opportunity to help the policies of the party grow consistently with these ideals, into rational, evidence-driven areas.| }}
 * President - 2009-2010
 * Helping lay the foundations of the party's structure
 * Working with the media to get our story and positions out
 * Working on press releases
 * Organising and speaking at an anti-censorship rally - My speech: http://www.craftiscranium.com/2010/03/anti-censorship-rally-follow-up.html
 * Dispute Resolutions Committee - 2010-2012
 * It was nice and peaceful, so no disputes to resolve
 * Policy Development Committee - 2013
 * Worked on many of the policies to be voted on at the congress
 * Member - 2009-2013
 * Spoke twice at pro-Wikileaks protests - My speech: http://www.craftiscranium.com/2012/06/supporting-julian-assange-melbourne.html
 * I am helping to organise the Victorian Protect our Privacy rally coming up in July
 * http://www.craftiscranium.com

{{Candidate| |

Simon Frew
I have served Pirate Party Australia to the best of my ability since I first joined. I have extensive experience on the full range of issues that we hold dear (see below for specific examples). I am a good public speaker, competent and experienced at debating issues and fielding questions from journalists. I have been involved in politics for the last seventeen years and have a wealth of experience to bring to the position. I feel that I am a strong advocate for Pirate politics and have a lot of experience in handing the many facets of running and representing the Party. I have served diligently as Deputy President for the last two years and am happy to serve the Party in any role I can.

We have an important role to play in Australian politics. We have already had some influence, but this needs to grow in the face of mass surveillance, secret treaties like the TPPA and out of touch politicians. I think that by encouraging broader participation from our members, whilst encouraging our growth in numbers we have a promising future and a greater impact on Australian politics. I have been a member of the Pirate Party since our first AFK meet up, having served on the National Council for the last three years, first being co-Secretary and Deputy President the last two years. I am currently also the NSW State Coordinator and the Campaign Director for the upcoming Federal Election.

I have represented Pirate Party Australia on a variety of platforms, speaking at protests in support of Wikileaks (see attached video below), debated the copyright lobby at the Sydney Film Festival and was the delegate to the 2013 Pirate Party International General Assembly (farcical as it was). I have been a tireless campaigner against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, authoring our contribution for the Melbourne round, attending many consultations including the up-coming consultation a couple of days before congress. I have helped work on a number of submissions to government inquiries including the National Security and Copyright Inquiries. Most recently I called for and helped organise protests against the NSA and blanket surveillance after the PRISM spying scandal broke.
 * I agree wholeheartedly with the Pirate Party platform and ideals. I came to the conclusion that we needed politics like the Pirate Party and was on the look-out for like-minded individuals when I encountered PPAU in its infancy and promptly signed up, helping forge the Party from its beginnings to what we are today.

My passion for politics pre-dates the Pirate Party and consequently I have quite a varied political history which is briefly sketched out below.

- 1996 to 1998 member of Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance. (Were too authoritarian)

- Campaigned against racism and Pauline Hanson's One Nation party.

- Started working with the libertarian socialist and Anarchist movements (much the same thing)

- Campaigned for equitable treatment for refugees

- Worked on local environmental issues

- Involved in student politics until 2007 including two years on Wollongong University Student Association Council

- Wrote regularly for the Tertangala (Wollongong University student paper) in that time

- Became increasingly interested in the free software movement, Creative Commons and social media

- As a musician I have made all of my music available under Creative Commons licence |

}}
 * Will be happy to serve on the concil in any capacity if not elected to an office bearer position
 * Wikileaks Speech

{{Candidate| |

David Campbell
I have been heavily involved with the party in its formative years and have been the President 2 years running.| I see a position where I could truly help the Pirate movement with my experience. I also wish to remain on the National Council but I feel it is someone else's turn to be President.| As President I have overseen our registration and progressively worked to maintain our transparent democratic administration. I wish to make our documentation and administration far more accessible and transparent and reported on with far greater verbosity than it currently is. I have also contributed technical expertise in the past to the party which I always bring to the table.| I agree with and personally pursue all of the current Pirate Party platform and ideals and I am dedicated to the Pirate Party cause. Pirate Party Australia is my first venture into politics having not previously had an interest in politics beyond major issues that divide the nation.| }}
 * None.

New South Wales
{{Candidate| |

Simon Frew
I have served Pirate Party Australia to the best of my ability since I first joined. I have extensive experience on the full range of issues that we hold dear (see below for specific examples). I am a good public speaker, competent and experienced at debating issues and fielding questions from journalists. I have been involved in politics for the last seventeen years and have a wealth of experience to bring to the position. I am currently the NSW State coordinator, but due to all the other roles I perform for the Party, I feel the role would be best filled by someone else with more time available and will be happy to step aside is anyone puts their hand up. That said I am willing to continue on as best as I can with my other Party responsibilities.

We have an important role to play in Australian politics. We have already had some influence, but this needs to grow in the face of mass surveillance, secret treaties like the TPPA and out of touch politicians. I think that by encouraging broader participation from our members, whilst encouraging our growth in numbers we have a promising future and a greater impact on Australian politics. I have been a member of the Pirate Party since our first AFK meet up, having served on the National Council for the last three years, first being co-Secretary and Deputy President the last two years. I am currently also the NSW State Coordinator and the Campaign Director for the upcoming Federal Election.

I have represented Pirate Party Australia on a variety of platforms, speaking at protests in support of Wikileaks (see attached video below), debated the copyright lobby at the Sydney Film Festival and was the delegate to the 2013 Pirate Party International General Assembly (farcical as it was). I have been a tireless campaigner against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, authoring our contribution for the Melbourne round, attending many consultations including the up-coming consultation a couple of days before congress. I have helped work on a number of submissions to government inquiries including the National Security and Copyright Inquiries. Most recently I called for and helped organise protests against the NSA and blanket surveillance after the PRISM spying scandal broke.
 * I agree wholeheartedly with the Pirate Party platform and ideals. I came to the conclusion that we needed politics like the Pirate Party and was on the look-out for like-minded individuals when I encountered PPAU in its infancy and promptly signed up, helping forge the Party from its beginnings to what we are today.

My passion for politics pre-dates the Pirate Party and consequently I have quite a varied political history which is briefly sketched out below.

- 1996 to 1998 member of Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance. (Were too authoritarian)

- Campaigned against racism and Pauline Hanson's One Nation party.

- Started working with the libertarian socialist and Anarchist movements (much the same thing)

- Campaigned for equitable treatment for refugees

- Worked on local environmental issues

- Involved in student politics until 2007 including two years on Wollongong University Student Association Council

- Wrote regularly for the Tertangala (Wollongong University student paper) in that time

- Became increasingly interested in the free software movement, Creative Commons and social media

- As a musician I have made all of my music available under Creative Commons licence |

}}
 * Will be happy to step aside for anyone who wishes to take on the role
 * Wikileaks Speech

{{Candidate| |

Sunny Kalsi
I'm a Software Engineer by trade and have been working in distributed teams with strong processes to solve complex problems. These often require triage, co-ordination, and sequencing. I am comfortable with change and uncertainty, and push for continuous improvement in all my endeavours. | I am interested in the success of the pirate party, and would like to take on more responsibilities to free up resources to be used elsewhere. Having a background in software means I can also be on the lookout for opportunities to automate as much of the co-ordination process as possible. | I've been part of the Pirate Party since June 2012, helping out where I can, mostly with collateral materials. More recently I've been working in the Campaigns committee. My main aim is to ensure the pirate party remains democratic and representative, as well as being a party that fights for what is right and not what is politically expedient. | I have not been part of any other party or movement, and the pirate party is my first foray into politics. My interest comes mostly from software patents and DRM, on ensuring users' rights on computers they own, and their liberties in creating and repurposing technologies. | }}
 * This is the only position I am applying for.

Victoria
{{Candidate| |

Ben McGinnes
I have been filling the role of Victoria's State Coordinator since the beginning of this year. I believe I can continue to build the local branch over the course of the next year. As well as continue to handle certain aspects of the Victorian Senate campaign on behalf of our candidates, Joe Miles and Geoff Hammett.| I am the current incumbant and there is still a great deal of ongoing work to do. Especially as we are in the middle of the election period.| I have worked on a number of issues which advance the interests of the party, including being on the Policy Development Committee, the Elections Committee, I have been the Victorian State Coordinator since early this year and I co-wrote the Party submission to the National Security Inquiry last year.| I help write a decent portion of the policy we're taking to the election. As the policies are essentially based on the platform I do agree with that platform for the most part. In the rare circumstances where there is disagreement, that simply leads to a robust debate which strengthens the party. My previous party affiliation included a brief period in the Australian Democrats from late 1998 (just after the election) to mid 1999.| }}
 * None.

Dispute Resolution Committee Member
(Please note that although the Constitution states there are to be three Dispute Resolution Committee members, only one position on the Committee is up for election. Dispute Resolution Committee members serve a two-year term, which is currently staggered as the result of a vacancy. Next Congress there will be two positions on the Committee up for election.)

{{Candidate| |

David Crafti
Currently, I am on the Policy Development Committee, where my areas of interest have been on transparent governance (whistleblowers and FOI), constitutionally enshrining a Bill of Rights and civil liberties. Prior to that, I was on the dispute resolution committee, and as an active member of the Victorian crew, I've spoken at rallies on behalf of the party. I was also the first President of the party, back in 2009, and I worked on establishing a presence in the media, as well as working on press releases, and helped lay down some of the party's foundations as a formal entity. By the end of this year, I should be completed with my Master of Laws degree, which I have spent 4 years completing, not to practice, but to establish a credible position from which to advocate for Pirate ideals.| I would like to contribute to the direction of the party and its policies, and be involved in developing the strategy that helps the party to achieve its goals.| * Helping lay the foundations of the party's structure * Working with the media to get our story and positions out * Working on press releases * Organising and speaking at an anti-censorship rally - My speech: http://www.craftiscranium.com/2010/03/anti-censorship-rally-follow-up.html * It was nice and peaceful, so no disputes to resolve * Worked on many of the policies to be voted on at the congress * Spoke twice at pro-Wikileaks protests - My speech: http://www.craftiscranium.com/2012/06/supporting-julian-assange-melbourne.html * I am helping to organise the Victorian Protect our Privacy rally coming up in July I had been politically frustrated with no viable outlet before the Pirate Party was created. It was the first party that I ever saw that meshed perfectly (or as close as that can ever get) with what I believe, i.e. civil libertarianism, and extended those ideals to new areas, reaching new conclusions. I never saw Pirate Party Australia as being just about IP, and I have been privileged to have an opportunity to help the policies of the party grow consistently with these ideals, into rational, evidence-driven areas.| }}
 * President - 2009-2010
 * Dispute Resolutions Committee - 2010-2012
 * Policy Development Committee - 2013
 * Member - 2009-2013
 * http://www.craftiscranium.com

Policy Development Officer
{{Candidate| |

Mozart Olbrycht-Palmer
I have been the Party's Press Officer for nearly two years, and Deputy Secretary since last Congress. I have contributed to many of the Party's efforts — at least 100 press releases, a revised version of the Platform, and submissions on patents, copyright, technological protection measures, national security, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement and more. I am thoroughly familiar with Party policy and our internal rules and procedures. I hold a Bachelor of Music, and am currently studying law.| As Deputy Secretary, I have assisted with the administration of the Party. However, while I believe that while my assistance was useful and helped in achieving the Party's registration, my talents lie elsewhere than administration. Being an academic, I feel I have skills better suited to research and writing, and for this reason I believe I would be a suitable for Policy Development Officer.| My contributions so far have included:
 * Press Officer — nearly two years.
 * Deputy Secretary — 12 months.
 * Significant contributions to submissions for reviews and inquiries.
 * Member of the Pirate Parties International Court of Arbitration (2012).
 * Worked with several other Pirate Parties around the world.

I will expand my contributions from merely researching and writing about our existing policies, to ensuring the continued development of evidence-based, well-referenced policies, including drawing from international experience with my connections to other Pirate Parties.| I have never been a member of another political movement or party. I do not disagree with any of our policies. However, as with all things it would be impossible not to have personal interests. My main interests lie in copyright, patents and transparency, however I respect the research that has gone into our policies and support them all.| }}
 * This is my second-most preferred position.
 * Blog