Minutes/Policy Development Committee Meeting/2013-03-07

Agenda

 * Attendance/apologies
 * Reports from working groups / vote on draft policies
 * https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/PDC:_Copyright_working_group
 * https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/PDC:_Whistleblower_working_group
 * https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/PDC:_Solar_tariff_working_group
 * https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/PDC:_Marriage_Act_working_group
 * https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/PDC:_Tax_working_group
 * Establishment of new working groups
 * April policy meet
 * Other business

Meeting Open: 22:32 08/03/13 AEDT Meeting Closed: 00:05 08/03/13 AEDT

Attendance
PDC Members:
 * Andrew Downing
 * Ben McGinnes
 * Brendan Molloy
 * Daniel Judge
 * Mark Gibbons
 * Rodney Serkowski
 * Melanie Thomas

Minutes
Tax working group [Tax policy]
 * https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/PDC:_Tax_working_group
 * should have a tax policy, especially on transparency basis
 * adopting majority of "Henry" report is like being given a freebie (http://www.taxreview.treasury.gov.au/content/Content.aspx?doc=html/pubs_reports.htm)
 * remove carbon tax to expand into its own policy due to unique nature of it
 * further clarifications on citing sources to be applied to the policy text with specific regard to the international transactions tax

Copyright working group
 * https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/PDC:_Copyright_working_group
 * clarification: retroactivity of policy is explicitly stated
 * 15 year optimal based on research such as: http://rufuspollock.org/economics/papers/optimal_copyright_term.pdf
 * need to add additional policy point on issues relating to archives
 * add codification of "fair use" (in a way that allows an interpretation that doesnt always default to the plaintiffs side for innovative/new situations which could havea chilling effect on innovation etc)
 * (1) Purpose and character of work
 * (2) Nature of work
 * (3) Amount of material used
 * (4) How much it ruins things for the copyright holder.
 * We argued current exceptions + generic exception in ALRC.
 * DRM: wording issues
 * a note about the 15 year term, implicit recognition that future negotiations may result in a lengthier term or extensions etc
 * note, copyright policy may be used to amend platform to simplify platform text

Tax working group [Transfer payments policy]
 * https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/PDC:_Tax_working_group#Transfer_payments_policy
 * current system too complicated, inwieldy and unflexible with a concentration on middle class welfare while poorer fall behind
 * "citizens income" inspired by some european pirate policies, not wedded to name
 * reduces bureaucracy which also reduces instances of potential conflict/problems for clients to deal with govt agencies etc
 * citizens income is means tested, but argument made not to be specific about amounts at this stage
 * alternate name suggestions: "basic income" or "support income" or "basic support income" or "baseline support income/payment" ... a desire to avoid political baggage associated with the names/terminology
 * "basic income" agreed on for now

Marriage Act working group
 * https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/PDC:_Marriage_Act_working_group
 * avoid polyamorous issue at this time due to complexity of policy necessary
 * add implicit recognition of overseas marriages/unions between a couple: "Any couples in legally recognised unions from overseas will be recognised under this Act."
 * not recognise forced marriages (but we take out the 'arranged' provision due to recognition that this can be consensual)

Motions
Motion: that the tax policy be approved for review by the membership subject to additional citation of dot points related to Henry review recommendations, the removal of the carbon pricing point, and insertion of citations justifying the inclusion of the international transactions tax. These changes are to be made by the PDO within the next 24 hours.
 * 7 ayes
 * motion carried

Motion: that the copyright policy be approved for review by the membership subject to insertion of additional clarifying material and citations on DRM, clarification of wording around format shifting, extra citations on copyright duration, clarification on format shifting, changes to archiving practice, TPM and the insertion of text used in prior submissions. These changes are to be made by the PDO in consultation with Brendan within the next 48 hours.
 * 7 ayes
 * motion carried

Motion: that the transfer policy be approved for review by the membership subject to "Citizens Income" being changed to "Basic Income". The PDO will make this change in the next 24 hours.
 * 6 ayes
 * motion carried

Motion: that the PDC develop and offer an amendment to the Copyright platform.
 * 7 ayes
 * motion carried

Motion: approve the civil unions policy after removing "and arranged", adding subpoint stating that we will not recognise forced marriages from overseas, and add the point: "Any couples in legally recognised unions from overseas will be recognised under this Act." within 24 hours.
 * 7 ayes
 * motion carried

Motion: that the whistleblower policy be approved for review by the membership.
 * 7 ayes
 * motion carried

Action Items

 * ADD SOURCES!!! EVERYONE!
 * Brendan to add to copyright policy information regarding to archival material, unpublished works and fair use.
 * Mark to pull exceptions as listed in ALRC submission to include into policy text
 * Brendan to send wording relating to DRM not overriding copyright act to MarkG for copyright policy