Pirate Congress 2019/Minutes

The IRC Chat Log can be viewed here: Pirate_Congress_2019/Minutes/Log

2019 Congress Minutes - in +9:30 Adelaide time (RAW unedited)

Opened ~10:10 with some video streaming issues plaguing the first half hour Miles: Welcome to country, Kuarna people as the traditional owners of the land Standing orders were accepted unanimously Procedural motion for 10 minute break passed unopposed Meeting resumed 11am Another couple of minutes adjusting audio and resuming video stream

National Council Reports

- Presidents Report Federal election this year. Quiet start to the year, some member attrition but also some new folk. Been trying to rebuild our reputation across several states. Old members became active again in the lead up to the election. Kudos to Mark Gibbons for his dedication and assistance. Also thanks to all nominees for the NC, struggled to fill the positions following veteran members leaving or moving to the sidelines. New strategies employed for the election, member drives to promote involvement. Re-energised FaceBook presence, and plenty of twitter activity. Proved popular around election time. Live Q&A sessions on FB, engaging in informal discussion with members and interested parties. QLD and NSW meets went well, great discussions NSW 16087 votes VIC 15043 QLD ??? WA 8000? Clive Myers & ???

Radio interviews and Podcasts 4ZZZ Clear Radio

discusing UBI and related issues John on ?radio show? Thanks to volunteers and supporters Preferences decided by members of each state democractically Can't keep everyone happy, always some criticism of preference recommendations Q&A day after election - look for it on YouTube QLD energy high around election time. Riding the crest of a high and beautiful wave (Nice!)

in retrospect we can see the high water mark and where it 'broke'. (John) NSW increase in vote and general interest in the party. Small but significant process. 0.4% swing it will be lovely once we hit the 4% threshold

(Miles again) With the energy around the election, things look positive for the future of the party, despite talk of not running candidates in future. Feel strongly that we will be in a position to contest in future. Need to rely on the canidates to keep the momentum going.

Sara comment : NFW this party is going to desolve.

Developing new platforms, revitlising local crews, young pirates, discord building. Continue building FB presence and involvement through other digital pillelatforms. PElections in Ukrain, accusations of corruption, successful digital / online campaign

Joined as soon as I could vote in response to threats to Australian Internet NBN destroyed by the LNP, a horribly bastardised version. This is a major concern for me. Peter Dutton appointed as Home Affairs minister, a centralisation of state power. AFP and border control, ASIO. Metadata retention. Rumour that they want control of army intelligence under civilian control. expansions to warrantless monitoring. Recently an inquiry suggestion to audit home affairs office. Report heavily redacted, but revealed that state police agencies were routinely accessing metadata without warrants. REcommendation to quarantine data to prevent this RSPCA and local councils applying for access to surveillance data. Facial recognition tech expanding, scary. Risk of false positives and breach of privacy Private companies using the tech also Strong case to continue advocating for privacy and against expanding surveillance. Other parties lack the understanding of these issues, we're the party best placed to highligh these issues. Copyright breaches blocking sites without proper oversight liase with parties who have values aligned with ours We support open access to culture and creativity. Content should be available, artist retains full rights but shouldn't restrict access. Impacting society, web platforms blocked on suspicion alone.

ONLINE COMMENTS MarkG, beedomcracy 11:13, jedb 11:26 Scary pollitical stuff, asylum prisons. Needs continuing action.

I hope to retain presidency for another year.

John Deputy Report

Ran in NSW with Sara, as well as NC. Grats to Miles for being the party rock. more energy in campaigning this past election. People are concerned with their jobs and finances moreso than the state of the world as a whole. Accepting the police state. Not advocating revolution, but we need a dichotomy of ideals. Don't piss of Miles! :P= I ask frustrating questions on web forums about policy points, often topics we don't hold a strong position on. Haven't seen a link to secretary report - should be on Discord (Miles)

Meeting paused to adjust streaming options again - lag and jitter

Cllive: Feedback from election, people like our policies, but hate the name. Handing out flyers got some amused reactions, seems like a joke to some people Need better name recognition. Aversion to the name will subside as awareness spreads. A lot of inactive members who just want to be in the 'pirate party'. 53K votes nationally, need greater promotion. Cost prohibitive to print flyers, etc. Fundraising? Suggest skipping elections until we have a stronger support base More involvement with other parties with shared interests Need to get a lot more motivated!

John: [the usual blurb in defence of our name, been debated ad infinitum, etc]. Stick with the name! Need better planning of timeframes for future elections

(Clive) Need to start organising now for next federal election, including fundraising. Suggesting party name change -> 'Progressive Party'

COMMENT jedb 11:41

(Miles) Thoughtworks hosted last years congress for $700 as a corporate donation. No issue so long as it's transparent and doesn't impact our policy decisions.

Sara: Welcome to country, Kuarna people. State parties dwindling. I love the party name, don't want to change it. I joined as a progressive due to our policies. Need to build policies and make them more inclusive. Voters preferenced us second? Keen to elevate party to 'greens level' Talk to people, evangelise your piracy! Need greater support to secure Senate seats Learnt alot through the last election campaign

John: Many voters don't properly understand our preferential electoral system. Greater awareness will win more preferences.

(Sara) everyday Australians who have ingrained values and don't understand. What's the best strategy? through local unions or direct? negative reflections about construction workers and housemate, they want change but lack understanding.

(John) Rock throwing between Labor and Greens supporters. While bickering amongst themselves, the enemy is taking over the battlefield.

(Miles) Introduce Secretary report

Alex via John - Secretaries Report read out https://discuss.pirateparty.org.au/t/pirate-congress-2019/2798/7

John: many questions about issues not explicitly addressed by our policies, there's no right answer and it probably won't win votes anyway.

Miles: identified several areas where our policies are lacking. Some candidates held positions on other specific issues, need to be formally adopted or discarded. As a spokesperson for the party, shouldn't speak out of turn on issues not in accordance with party values.

- Tresurers Report from Mark via Sara, read out https://pirateparty.org.au/w/images/6/6f/PPAU_Treasurer_report_Congress_2019.pdf

Miles: Funding is good, despite some stresses last year. Donations increased prior to election. Good boost to morale for the NC. AEC proposing to double the fee for the ballot sheet. This will place negative pressure on all minor parties, including the Greens. (John) Greens have voted in favour of increasing nomination fees in the past, kicking away the ladder.

(Miles) An attempt to silence the ideological diversity of smaller parties.

Minor constitutional ammendment proposal: changes to position titles. Full text on wiki https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2019/Constitutional_Amendments 3 NCs

COMMENT alexjago 12:25

VOTE PASSED, unanimous on floor, 3 remote, 2 abstains, no opposed

(Miles) MOTION adjourn for lunch, 45 minutes.

COMMENT alexjago 12:31

VOTE PASSED, breaking for lunch. 12:35, resuming 1:15-2pm

Resumed at 2:11

(Miles) No formal motions, opening for any to be introduced now None introduced

Policy Motions: PM2 Domestic Violence, changing 'violence' to 'abuse'. - Sara

Vote open 2:15 Passed on floor Vote closed 2:18 Motion PASSED

PM4 Energy Policy - Mark G policy text read by John suggested changes summarised by Miles zero net emissions by 2050, 50% reduction by 2030

John expressed concern re influence from other groups prompting this motion

Miles: need to avoid the 1.5 degree predicted change to avoid global catastophe proposed ammendment to text, change title text from 'carbon emissions' to 'greenhouse gas emissions' accepted by Mark

COMMENT jedb 2:27

Voting open 2:30 Unanimous on floor closed 2:34 Motion PASSED

Sara: PM5 disaster relief https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2019/Motions#Motion_5 Policy motion explained (John) concern re budget impact

COMMENT jedb minor gramatical correction

David comment funding allocation

Miles: more community inolvement, umbrella linking 40-50 organisations with grassroots support

Sara: Need to rely on local governments / councils to determine where funds should be allocated

COMMENT jedb 2:42 Sara response: the idea is roughly half for global warming and half for other disasters

David ammendment proposed to drop the $10 Billion figure Sara: change wording to 'valued up to $10 billlion' David withdrawn in favour of Sara's

Open for final comments 2:51 VOTE open 2:53 unanimous on floor Closed 2:55 MOTION PASSED

PM7 UBI increase to poverty line, from 15K -> $22,516/year read by Miles

John: echoing concerns on funding, but better than current welfare for recipients

COMMENT jedb 2:58 COMMENT alexjago, jedb COMMENT MarkG

Sara flagging NSW elections later this year

Miles clarifies $75/week raise to newstart, to $18500/year AMMENDMENT proposed

ONLINE COMMENTS 3:07

PM7 tabled for further clarifications

PM6 withdrawn, absorbed into PM3

Miles read PM3 text superfast

mention of extinction rebellion rallies in Brisbane, Stop Adani, etc

PM3 Voting open, unanimous on floor MOTION PASSED

PM1 introduced text read by John

QUESTION jedb 3:25

Miles explains JG and UBI, local strategies.

John comments on JG Miles on automation & less need for jobs

Sara: speaks in support of fleshing out UBI policy, but keep some form of JG to promote work instead of apathy and social isolation

Clive supports proposal in favour of UBI only, as we move toward a post-employment economy

John elaborates on economic ramifications of both JG and UBI policies

Kate question re Rent Seeking John responds supporting CES Miles: JG additional income over UBI would stimulate local economies providing these jobs

COMMENTS 4:05

John defends proposal to drop JG Miles: defends keeping JG

MOTION to table policy till tomorrow MOTION Passed

MOTION to adjourn until tomorrow Meeting Day 1 adjourned 1 4:27

Day 2 stream started 10:24 Some audio issues informal chatter, Tanya from Pastafarians may be skyping in if we have time

Meetiing commenced 10:45

Comments by Miles and John re UBI and JG policies Raise UBI

COMMENT MarkG 10:50

Responses to MarkG, John, Miles. Response to jedb (Miles) 18500 recommended UBI baseline, providing incentive for JG paying more

COMMENT jedb 10:50 poverty line around $22500

AMMENDMENT proposed jedb, 'poverty line as determined by the Australian Council of Social Service' ACCEPTED by Miles

PM7 Vote, MOTION PASSED

PROC MOTION alexjago restrict debate to < 1 hour PASSED unanimously

PM1 Final comments Sara: PROC MOTION to proceed with vote in 15 minutes after John's comments Miles: Ammend to 25 minutes, restrict speaking time to 2 minutes per rant, accepted by Miles under protest Ammended ROC MOTION PASSED

Miles proposes AMMENDMENT to split Rent Seeking/CES from JG as suggested by jedb yesterday VOTE to split John reflects on the split MOTION FAILS 4-5

John comments on the ambiguity and moving target of discussion surrounding JG

Miles response to MarkG 11:16

ThomasG leaving acknowledged, thanks for involvement (Miles)

John comments 11:20 Right to Repair movements, legal redtape preventing volunteer efforts

Jess COMMENT works in volunteer work 11:23 John responds

COMMMENT David re JG & UBI 11:27

COMMENT jedb 11:28

VOTING COMMENCED MOTION FAILS 3-7

COMMENT alexjago thanks for the clock on the video stream

John expresses disappointment, promises not to pull a 'Tony Abott' Considering leaving party, still here for now

Miles introduced FLOOR MOTION to adopt Rent Seeking/CES position statement from PM1

John VOTE NO CONFIDENCE in Chair MOTION FAILS 2-6

VOTE to Accept CES position statement

Kate COMMENT in support of CES position statement 11:49 John responds explaining this statement emerged following discussion with MarkG

Miles AMMENDED FLOOR MOTION to spawn WG to work on Rent Seeking position statement MOTION PASSED 8-1

PM8 A & B Remove or Reword position on 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975

Sara: Welcome to country 12:04 Shout out to Hong Kong democracy fighters Explains backlash from the public during election campaign, are we endorsing casual racism?

COMMENTS jedb 12:06-12:08 read by John

Sara withdraws motions 8a & 8b suggestion to table motion till later Bryn offers apology for breaking audio in the stream

PROC MOTION table 8a and 8b until other business completes this afternoon MOTION PASSES 7-3

PROC MOTION to break for lunch 12:22 for a half hour MOTION PASSED, breakng for lunch

Stream recommencing 1:03 Meeting commenced 1:05

NOMINATIONS

(Miles) introducing procedure for nominations and speeches

PROC MOTION to allow nomination from the floor

Miles speaks on his nomination to continue as president, deputy, or NC John supports Miles, praising him for efforts re last federal election Miles answers questions, defends our position on the political landscape in relation to the greens and the international pirate movement

ACKNOWLEDGE Clive leaving Congress 1:32

Sara: Speech re nominations for multiple positions of office 1:37

QUESTION Miles: Prefer local, state, or federal John suggests Sara learns from Alex if elected to deputy re proper procedures

QUESTION jedb re PM-8 being in conflict with core principles Sara: Don't believe this is a conflict

Q&A between Miles and Sara re Automation and Transparency of government

Alex speaks on nomination to continue as secretary 1:55 Questions from Miles, will you run for parliament? Alex: first involvement in 2012 in regard to local transport issues, would prefer local and state as they manage these services Miles: kudos for conflict of interest disclosure re Greens and relatives Alex: Prefer Secretary or Treasurer, prefer back office to public facing roles Q&A Sara and Alex, next steps

Apologies for Brandon in his absence, bio read by Miles 2:08 Miles speaks in support of Brandon

David Read nomination for NC

David Kennedy nomination for NC 2:22

Sara withdraws nomination for Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer

Floor opened for discussion

Sara comments on attitudes surrounding last election, mainstream press largely ignored us, only alternative media took interest

Miles invites comment on the current China issue Sara responds 2:42

Pause for audio issues re livestream Anna remote presentation No audio stream for most of it, Bryn apologises

Miles speaks to Carbon tax and strategies to apply it to consumer goods 3:14

VOTE for next years Congress location SYDNEY VOTE PASSED 9-0

Miles expresses formal support for Hong Kong protest movement 3:25 FLOOR MOTION to issue statement of support VOTE PASSED

PM8 reintroduced 3:29 Sara speaks on racism at home influencing children

Kate speaks in support of PM8 3:32

COMMENTS read by John 3:38

COMMENT DavidK 3:42

John COMMENT 3:44

Miles refers to China using such laws to label criticism of their human rights abuses as racial discrimination

Sara speaks in defence of PM8

John reads COMMENTS jedb, MarkG

Kate supports motion to remove (8a)

Bryn: reflections on the balance between free speech and overbearing media influence (paraphrased)

COMMENTS jedb, MarkG 3:55 read by Miles 4pm

Discussion whether PM8B is unconstitutional, seems like it is

PROC MOTION (Miles) Allow unconstitutional ammendment motions to be adopted 4:05 Withdrawn

VOTE on PM8B to repeal MOTION FAILS 1-9

VOTE on 8A MOTION FAILS 4-7

Sara graciously accepts defeat 4:14

CONGRESS ENDING 4:15

COMMENTS read by John alex, jedb

CONGRESS CLOSED (Miles) 4:17 Thanks to Bryn for tech setup

MarkG accepted for DRC

DONE!