Pirate Congress 2018/Motions

Formal Motions
None

PM-1: Electoral System Reform
Put by: Policy Development Committee

Motion
Adopt the electoral system reform policy detailed here.

Rationale
Electoral reform has been a topic of interest in the party for a long time. We’ve got a position statement, written many submissions, and even led a call for a Royal Commission to get it sorted out. This proposal begins by outlining how the Australian electoral systems has extreme structural difficulties with properly representing everybody. Potential alternate systems are then evaluated against their various possible use cases. Nomination reform is also covered. This policy proposal repeats the call for a Royal Commission, as an independent forum with the prestige to recommend substantial changes. The conclusions of the rest of the policy are to be presented to that Commission.

PM-2: Job Guarantee Policy
Put by: Policy Development Committee

Motion
Adopt the Job Guarantee policy detailed here.

Rationale
Involuntary unemployment has plagued Australia since the government policy shift of the 1970s. The Federal Government should restore its commitment to maintaining true full employment and the right to secure work for all who want it. Involuntary unemployment comes with great social costs and psychological tolls beyond income loss. Many marginalised groups and communities in locations with limited private sector opportunities face perpetual disadvantage, and exclusion from the labour market. This proposal seeks to redress these injustices and complement our existing Basic Income policy, expanding the social safety net. An initial trial of the scheme for communities most in need is proposed, with potential for further experimentation, refinement and a national roll out. The proposal is further complemented by a restoration of the Commonwealth Employment Service to replace the privatised employment services sector (Job Active), as well as oversee the Job Guarantee trials and roll out.

PM-3: Patent System Reform
Put by: Policy Development Committee

Motion
Amend the Education and Innovation policy as detailed here.

Rationale
This adds some updates to our Patents policy. The main thing is to investigate a Declared Value System, which would provide a market-informed mechanism both for setting patent buyout fees and registration fees. Productivity Commission recommendations are also added to improve the legal system around patents. Finally, some reporting requirements are added for regarding pharmaceutical drug R&D spending.

PM-4: Marriage Policy Update
Put by: Policy Development Committee

Motion
Replace the Marriage section of the Civil and Digital Liberties policy with the proposal, detailed here.

Rationale
This updates our existing Marriage policy. While Australian law is now less discriminatory than it was this time last year, the principle of our policy—getting the State out of marriage—remains. The proposed policy is also more polyamory-friendly, by virtue of replacing all references to “couples” with “people” or “adults”.