Pirate Congress 2015/Minutes

'''Note: This is an early draft, preliminary interim minutes. The full minutes will take some days to complete and verify, please check back later if you seek a full record of the congress including vote counts.'''

=Day One: Saturday, 25 July 2015=

President opens Congress, housekeeping and adoption of standing orders

 * Welcome and introductions of Brendan Molloy (President), Simon Frew (Deputy President) and Daniel Judge (Secretary)
 * Explanation of how to participate online, getting voiced and so on.
 * Reading of Standing Orders:
 * http://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/National_Congress_Standing_Orders

Daniel Judge (Secretary)

 * to be transcribed

Brendan Molloy (President)

 * to be transcribed

Simon Frew (Deputy President)

 * to be transcribed

CAP-0: Raising the quorum for constitutional amendments

 * https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-0:_Raising_the_quorum_for_constitutional_amendments

Questions and comments
Question: Why do we need to do this?

Answer: Original Constitution was designed with a floating quorum starting at 10% so as to find a natural equilibrium for what a rational quorum was for the annual meetings, so it rises by a small percentage each year based on a vote. If it is never reached, then the clause is removed, so it is self adjusting quorum protection measure.

CAP-1: Principles Grammar

 * MOTION: Put CAP-1 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries.

Put by: David Crafti

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-1:_Principles_Grammar

CAP-2: Articles Grammar A

 * MOTION: Put CAP-2 to the online vote.
 * Result: Motion lapses.

Put by: David Crafti

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-2:_Articles_Grammar_A

CAP-3: Article Grammar B

 * MOTION: Put CAP-3 to the Constitutional Review Committee.
 * Result: Motion carries. 100.00% in favour.

Put by: David Crafti

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-3:_Article_Grammar_B

CAP-4A: National Council Minutes Quorum

 * MOTION: Prefer CAP-4A to CAP-4B.
 * Result: Motion carries. 100.00% in favour.


 * MOTION: Put CAP-4A to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries. 95.45% in favour.

Put by: David Crafti

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-4A:_National_Council_Minutes_Quorum

CAP-5: Articles Grammar C

 * MOTION: Put CAP-5 to the online system.
 * Result: Motion lapses.

Put by: David Crafti

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-5:_Articles_Grammar_C

CAP-6: Articles Grammar D

 * MOTION: Put CAP-6 (and any other related motions) to the Constitutional Review Committee.
 * Result: Motion lapses.


 * MOTION: Accept CAP-6 Amendment 1 in place of CAP-6.
 * Result: Motion carries.

New wording for proposed amendment: "Where eligible, participate in working groups defined by the National Council or any organ of the Party; and"


 * MOTION: Put CAP-6 as amended to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries.

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-6:_Articles_Grammar_D

CAP-7: Articles Grammar E

 * MOTION: Put CAP-7 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries.

Put by: David Crafti

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-7:_Articles_Grammar_E

CAP-8: Articles Grammar F

 * MOTION: Put CAP-8 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries. 100.00% in favour.

Put by: David Crafti

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-8:_Articles_Grammar_F

CAP-9: Remove legal binding provisions

 * MOTION: Put CAP-9 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries. 100.00% in favour.

Put by: David Crafti

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-9:_Remove_legal_binding_provisions

CAP-10: Dispute Resolution Committee term clarification

 * MOTION: Put CAP-10 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries. 100.00% in favour.

Put by: David Crafti

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-10:_Dispute_Resolution_Committee_term_clarification

CAP-11: DRC referral protection

 * MOTION: Put CAP-11 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries. 100.00% in favour.

Put by: David Crafti

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-11:_DRC_referral_protection

CAP-12: Fundamental rewrite of principles

 * MOTION: Put CAP-12 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion lapses.

Put by: David Crafti

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-12:_Fundamental_rewrite_of_principles

CAP-13 Amendment A: Incorporate by-law 2013-03

 * MOTION: Accept CAP-13 Amendment A in place of CAP-13.
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: Put CAP-13 as amended to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries. 100.00% in favour.

Put by: Brendan Molloy

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-13_Amendment_A:_Incorporate_by-law_2013-03

CAP-14: Multiple party membership

 * MOTION: Commit CAP-14 to the Constitutional Review Committee.
 * Result: Motion carries.

Put by: David Crafti

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Constitutional_Amendments#CAP-14:_Multiple_party_membership

PM-1: Distributed Digital Currencies and Economies

 * MOTION: Put PM-1 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries.

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions#PM-1:_Distributed_Digital_Currencies_and_Economies

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

PM-2: Digital Liberties

 * MOTION: Put PM-2 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries.

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions#PM-2:_Digital_Liberties

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

Procedural Motion

 * MOTION: Chair is temporarily passed to Simon for the rest of the policy motions with responsibility of initial text reading remaining with Brendan.
 * Result: Motion carries.

PM-3: Cultural Policy
Proposed Amendment:

Cultural Policy, Preamble, end of Paragraph 3: Replace "creation of product for society’s benefit." with "creation of new and derivative creative materials for society’s benefit."


 * MOTION: Accept the amendment.
 * Result: Motion carries.

Proposed Amendment: Remove section beginning "Allow disused private property for use by libraries..."


 * MOTION: Remove the block that begins with "Allow disused private property for use by libraries" and refer it back to the Policy Development Committee.
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: Put PM-3 as amended to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries.

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions#PM-3:_Cultural_Policy

Motion

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

Procedural Motions

 * MOTION: Return Brendan to chair.
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: Extend the closing time to 5pm.
 * Result: Motion carries.

PM-4: Foreign policy and treaty making

 * MOTION: Put PM-4 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries. =

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions#PM-4:_Foreign_policy_and_treaty_making

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

PM-5: Health

 * MOTION: Put PM-5 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries.

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions#PM-5:_Health

Motion

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

PM-6: Energy, Environment and Climate Change


 * MOTION: Put PM-6 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries.

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions#PM-6:_Energy.2C_Environment_and_Climate_Change

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

PM-7: Education

 * MOTION: Put PM-7 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries.

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions#PM-7:_Education

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

PM-8: Civil Liberties

 * MOTION: Put PM-8 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries. 100.00% in favour.

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions#PM-8:_Civil_Liberties

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

=Day Two: Sunday, 26 July 2015=

Procedural Motions

 * MOTION: Amend the Agenda to change Motions from 11:30 to 10:40.
 * Result: Motion carries.

PM-9: Tax and Welfare

 * MOTION: Put PM-9 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries. 100.00% in favour.

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions#PM-9:_Tax_and_Welfare

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

PM-10: Declaration of platform and principles

 * MOTION: Put PM-10 to the online voting system.
 * Result: Motion carries. 100.00% in favour.

https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2015/Motions#PM-10:_Declaration_of_platform_and_principles

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

Procedural Motions

 * MOTION: Amend the agenda as specified above.
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: Amend the agenda as above.
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: The National Congress waives the requirement for the auditor's report.
 * Result: Motion carries.

Senate voting reform and the Pirate position.

 * MOTION: The Party is willing to compromise on the abolition of the group voting ticket as long as certain conditions are met.
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: Remove the concept of a non-parliamentary and parliamentary party, and merely consider registered and unregistered parties under all legislation.
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: Lower the deposits for candidates.
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: Remove the threshold of 4% of the vote for receiving funding.
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: Ideally abolish above the line voting entirely and replace with below the line with optional preferential.
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: Open source the code.
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: Introduce "Robson rotation".
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: A royal commission into the electoral system (akin to NZ 1985) with a requirement to implement the recommendations.
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: PPAU salutes Michael Cordover's efforts to get the senate vote counting source out of the AEC and wishes him well for his hearing on Monday (https://twitter.com/mjec/status/624096031903330304).
 * Put by: tserong
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: Do not support "voting thresholds" (minimum votes necessary for votes to even count at all).
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: Accept these points as party positions in general (not as a trade for abolition of GVT), and push for a royal commission into the electoral system.
 * Result: Motion carries.

Internal party organisation and paid positions

 * MOTION: Require the National Council to seek to hire a Executive Assistant on a 12 month contract, to be initially funded by crowdfunding between $45k to $55k. The National Council must develop a job description.
 * Result: Motion carries.


 * MOTION: Strongly suggest that the National Council seek to hire Social Media Officer(s) (after dealing with the Exec Assistant proposal) with the intention of promoting the Party's policies and ideals to the public at large.
 * Result: Motion carries.

Membership engagement and utilisation of social media

 * MOTION: Mirror as much content as reasonable to the Facebook platform for the purposes of improving engagement.
 * Result: Motion carries.

Constitutional Reform for Australia
No Motions arising, topic to be discussed by party over coming years in various ways [more detail to be added]

Next Congress

 * MOTION: National Congress 2016 shall be hosted in Hobart.
 * Result: Motion carries.

Floor Motion

 * MOTION: The National Council must investigate how to convert the organisation from a NSW incorporated association to a Federal corporation, and must report by the next Congress.
 * Result: Motion carries.