Pirate Congress 2021/Nominations

Adding a Nomination
'''If you wish to nominate yourself for a position and are familiar with Wiki syntax, 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
Duties: https://pirateparty.org.au/constitution/#part-iii-3.2.1

{{Candidate| |

Miles Whiticker
I have acted as the National President since 2018, after acting as Councillor for two years. In that time I have led the party through the 2019 Federal Election in which I also stood as candidate, and pioneered a new digital outreach strategy. In my spare time I study technology, politics, philosophy and economics as well as current events in order to ensure the Pirate Party is always prepared for the future. I have always felt strongly that the party has an important niche in Australian politis which has been underserved, and that my unique skills and experience are well placed to help the party grow and thrive. I volunteered for PPAU candidates in Queensland in the 2013 and 2016 Federal Elections, as well as the 2014 Griffith by-election. Thanks to these experiences along with volunteering outside the party I have grown in maturity, experience and ability. Although I was barely active during the early years of the party, my contribution has similarly grown over the years. For my first year as National President in 2018-2019, I pioneered a new digital outreach strategy and led the party through the 2019 Federal Election, in which I also stood as candidate. For 2020-2021 I refined this digital strategy and managed to reverse the gradual attrition in party membership. I'll present more information on this digital engagement strategy in my outgoing President's Speech on Saturday morning of National Congress. I was too young to be a founding member of the party, but I was active on the forums prior to registration and joined in 2011 and have always been a supporter of the international Pirate movement and its ideals. I have never been a member of another political party. }}
 * [mailto:miles.whiticker@pirateparty.org.au email me]
 * Twitter: @mileswhiticker
 * Discord: @Sorokyne#5428
 * Discord: @Sorokyne#5428

Deputy President
Duties: https://pirateparty.org.au/constitution/#part-iii-3.2.2

{{CandidateWithdraw| |

Roger Whatling
See nomination details listed under Deputy Secretary. }}

{{Candidate| |

Brandon Selic
I have been with the party since just after its formation. I have served as Legal Committee Coordinator, Queensland State Coordinator, on the Policy Development Committee, have run in the last two Federal elections as first candidate on the Senate Ballot and acted as Deputy President for the past year.| I still believe that the Pirate Party fills a significant gap in Australian Politics other parties fail to meet. I still support our platform, and would seek to see that we are acknowledged for what we stand for in the wider Australian political landscape. Moreover, this pat year has shown that political alternatives are needed now more than ever, and I would like the opportunity to rebuild the party member base so that we can truly be that alternative political voice.| I have served on the National Council and various committees and at the state level, and have implemented some major policy developments. I have also assisted in various election campaigns, not just my own.| Yes, since nearly the beginning of the party here in Australia. I am a former member of the Australian Democrats.|

}}
 * [mailto:brandon.selic@pirateparty.org.au Email]
 * Facebook: @BrandonSelicPPAU
 * Twitter: @brandon_selic
 * Instagram: @brandon_selic
 * Discord: Darcrider (Darcrider#0966)

{{CandidateRef| |

Miles Whiticker
See nomination details listed under President. }}

Secretary
Duties: https://pirateparty.org.au/constitution/#part-iii-3.2.3

{{Candidate||

Alex Jago
I am the incumbent Secretary. I like to think that I've gotten through the year without too many unfixable screwups. | I'm running for Secretary because I figure I've now demonstrated that I can do it. If someone more qualified than me would like to be Secretary, I'll happily take the Deputy role. | In 2018-2019 I've helped fight an election (mostly in support of Miles and Brandon up here in Qld), taken on primary responsibility for the party Facebook page, and of course I've done the usual Secretariat meetings and memberships and submissions things. My authorisation tag project is now basically finished and proved its value (I think this is actually my most useful contribution). Since then it's been more of a keep-the-lights on thing in general, but I've maintained my various existing responsibilities.

I've been a part of all election campaigns in my area since I joined the party in 2014 (Griffith by-election; 2016 & 2019 generals).

As I keep saying, our pressing task over the next year remains to grow not just in total members but active, engaged members. I don't pretend to have a magic solution, but I'll support things that seem like they'll help, with both my time and my influence. | Yes. I've never been a member of any party except PPAU, and I hope that never changes. I've also helped out various Greens campaigns as an HTV-person, door-knocker and map-drawer. (The first two count as campaigning skills development.) | I'm alexjago#3273 on the party Discord server, My Discourse profile is at https://discuss.pirateparty.org.au/u/alexjago and I'm @alexjago51 on Twitter. | }}

Deputy Secretary
Duties: https://pirateparty.org.au/constitution/#part-iii-3.2.4

{{Candidate| |

Roger Whatling
Full disclosure, I do not have a deep background in politics or activism. My experience outside of the Pirate Party is in project management and leading technical delivery teams. While maybe not the typical path to political party leadership, I feel PPAU could do with some help in developing a clear direction and focusing on a goal. What I will bring to the National Council is organisational structure, professionalism and leadership skills for the Party to continue to build on. I hope to assist the Council to unite our members in the shared values and cohesive vision of the Pirate Party.| I believe in the Pirate Party platform and policies. It was disappointing to find out that the Party had de-registered due to lack of numbers. I know the Party has had many prosperous times since its founding, unfortunately now is not one of those times. Fading public presence, dwindling participation, negative or confused public opinion. I want to see Pirate Party back on the ballot paper, disrupting Australian politics with progressive policies and discourse about topics that matter. De-registration has motivated me to become more involved in the movement and as part of that commitment, I am nominating to be part of the National Council in any way the Party members see fit. I have a number of ideas for improving the operations of the Party, while maintaining Pirate principles.| Admittedly I have only been a member for a relatively short amount of time and even let my membership lapse until recently. Since returning I have been an active member on the Party Discord server, initiating and contributing to conversations, providing feedback and encouraging open discourse. I have been active at most Friday Social nights on video chat which has been a great platform to meet a few regular members, though I'm looking forward to meeting more both online and in person. I am not afraid to ask questions and attempt to pick holes in opinions for the purpose to having open minded conversations and strengthening positions. I believe steel-manning or having a devils advocate helps to fight being sucked into blind ideological views. I am also not scared of being wrong (as I quite often am). I have a few high-level thoughts for the Party which I think are relatively simple operational changes that could help build the membership numbers sufficient to re-register the Party for the upcoming election and continue to strengthen the Party over time. Initial focus would be on making the content easier to consume and the Party easier to engage with. I have outlined some of my thoughts along with a bit more information about myself in the attachment under "Additional Documents".| I generally agree with the underlying Pirate Party platform and ideals and look forward to contributing to new or updated policies as required over time. I have not been part of any other political party or movement.

I welcome any member to reach out directly if you'd like to discuss my nomination or just have a chat.| }}
 * [mailto:heyroger@live.com.au email me]
 * Discord: Dread Pirate Roger (@Nemesis#4685)
 * Rebuilding Pirates - an Opportunity.pdf

Treasurer
{{Candidate||

John August
I appreciate Mark G's past contribution to the party as Treasurer, and also generally and in policy, and as a personal gesture would like to give him the freedom to either do his own thing or contribute to party in other ways. | I have previously been in this position for the last term, and am happy to continue. I have stood as an election candidate several times in both the lower and upper house, which involved a solid investment of time and money each time. I have participated as a member of the National Council for several years. I have advocated several PPA positions on my community radio show in Sydney and also at Speakers corner in Sydney | I am passionate about ideas in IP and these brought me to the party. I have also been involved in the Secular Party and Abolish State Governments Party. I have since developed an appreciation for other PPA ideas such as UBI | johnaugust.com.au }} Duties: https://pirateparty.org.au/constitution/#part-iii-3.2.5
 * Mark G needed a break, and others including him felt I would be competent in the position |

Deputy Treasurer
Duties: https://pirateparty.org.au/constitution/#part-iii-3.2.6

{{Candidate|

Mitchell Curnoe
I have experience, skills and qualifications in bookkeeping/accountancy.| I wish to expand our merchandising and our marketing so that we can both reach more people and fundraise.| Just joined this year through I do engage frequently in group discussions and will actively promote and support the party anyway I can.| I agree with the majority of the parties positions through the main ideals I support is lowering the copyright regulations, lowering the amount you lose from unemployment payments when you are actively working, freedom of speech and the right to privacy. }}
 * None
 * None

Councillors (3 positions)
Duties: https://pirateparty.org.au/constitution/#part-iii-3.2.7

{{CandidateWithdraw| |

Roger Whatling
See nomination details listed under Deputy Secretary. }}

{{Candidate| |

Andrew Downing
I am a founding member who has promoted the party, contributed to many policies, and assisted with several of our election campaigns.| I feel like PPAU has declined in recent years and I want to assist with its reinvention and renewal.| I've been a software architect/engineer for a few decades, I bring an analytical mind and hopefully some insight into the workings of the modern world. I have been a councillor once in the past, have been Policy Development Office and actively participated in the development of many of our current policies.| I support our party policies. I was instrumental in crafting many of them. Pirate Party Australia is the only political party I want to be in.| }}

{{Candidate| |

David Kennedy
I am a founding member who has promoted the party and assisted with some of our election campaign efforts in the past, and have been an acting counsellor for the past two years.| I'm happy to continue helping where I can as part of the NC.| I'm an analyst developer, primarily c# enterprise systems. For the past 5 years I've been contracting to Telstra as an NBN Automation Consultant. If re-elected to the NC I will seek to faithfully reflect the consensus of our members and uphold our core values. I have a particular interest in freedom of expression, so I will defend these liberties wherever possible.| I support the bulk of our party policy as it currently stands. Pirate Party Australia is the only political party I've held formal membership in.| }} {{Candidate|
 * https://www.linkedin.com/in/dotnetdavidkennedy

Fred Gerner
I was a counselor last year, and I got the opportunity to realize/test some of my ideas and the feedback has been intoxicating. I'm really thirsting to take this to the next level. And hopefully, get my hand sticky with some tech innovations as well.| I support our party policies.| }}
 * I was a member of the national council during the last year, and would very much like to continue the work.
 * I feel that it was a good position for getting involved and getting to learn a lot |

Policy Development Officer
Committee Duties: https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Policy_Development_Committee/Terms_of_Reference {{Candidate| |

Andrew Downing
I am a founding member who has promoted the party, contributed to many policies, and assisted with several of our election campaigns.| I feel like PPAU has declined in recent years and I want to assist with its reinvention and renewal.| I've been a software architect/engineer for a few decades, I bring an analytical mind and hopefully some insight into the workings of the modern world. I have been a councillor once in the past, have been Policy Development Office and actively participated in the development of many of our current policies.| I support our party policies. I was instrumental in crafting many of them. Pirate Party Australia is the only political party I want to be in.| }}

Dispute Resolution Committee (1 position)
Duties: https://pirateparty.org.au/constitution/#part-iii-12

Sean O'Farrell nominates from the floor over Lunch of Day 2.