Pirate Congress 2022/Minutes/2022-07-23

Please note that all times are in AEST.

= Day 1 - Saturday =


 * Stream archive at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-7WLl99xtc

Opening [10:05]

 * President Miles Whiticker opens the congress at 10:07
 * "This is the Annual General Meeting of Pirate Party Australia Inc."
 * Agenda: https://pirateparty.org.au/wiki/Pirate_Congress_2022/Agenda
 * Adoption of Standing Orders
 * Outgoing NC reports
 * Financial report
 * Constitutional amendment motions
 * Formal motions
 * Policy motions
 * Lunch from 12:30 to 13:30
 * Acknowledgement of Country.
 * Deputy Secretary Roger Whatling appointed as Remote Chair
 * The Remote Chair facilitates participation of those members connected remotely.

MOTION to amend Standing Orders

 * MOTION: amend the Standing Orders, for this Congress only, to allow considerations of all policy motions published prior to the start of Congress and to allow nominations for electable positions to be received up to the start of the relevant session.
 * Put by: Alex Jago
 * Ayes 12 (Tyrone D'Lisle, Miles Whiticker, Andrew Downing, David Kennedy, John August, Bryn Busai, Andrew Downing, Simon Gnieslaw, DanielT, Roger Whatling, Gold, Alex Jago)
 * Motion CARRIED without dissent or (voiced) abstention at 10:21

MOTION: Adopt the standing orders as amended

 * Put by: Miles Whiticker
 * CARRIED without dissent or abstention at 10:23

President's report
Miles Whiticker presents his report.




 * Huge year for the party
 * We've been part of the largest campaign the party's ever been involved in
 * Also a remarkable
 * "Empowerment is the foundation of our philosophy" - Rick Falkvinge
 * We can't let bad-faith actors continue to silence voices
 * We must empower our collective voices


 * We went into Fusion negotiations under the shadow of a reactionary government.
 * Our values always overlapped but our identities kept us apart.
 * Diversity is part of our continued value.
 * There will be and have been compromises, but Fusion's strength is our complementarity.


 * At the election we didn't have established name recognition, but we worked incredibly hard
 * Reading of Senate results (slightly down on 2019)
 * Many lower-house campaigns saw improved results
 * The biggest achievement during the election was our new campaigning
 * Pipeline of volunteers engaged over email, SMS, social media and phones
 * Conversion to physical campaigning
 * Shout out to the design team


 * Areas for improvement: state-level coordination, better planning and guidance from a national level.
 * Processes were being developed as we went, lots of experimentation.
 * This experience feeds into the Victorian State Election later this year.
 * Leapfrog process from Victoria into NSW-2023 into Qld-2024
 * Volunteers can come from around the country


 * The goal: consistently run at state level campaigns to maintain


 * Internationally we've seen the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which stokes fear of a broader war
 * EU states' decarbonisation now critical to reduce dependence on Russia
 * Nuclear power will remain critical, for example
 * We're already on this issue; we ran a livestream with EU Pirates in
 * EU Pirates continue to lead on transparency and privacy


 * COVID continues to be an issue in Australia
 * Even supporters of restrictions are tired of them
 * The Pirate position of COVID policy is complicated

Secretary's Report [10:37]
Alex Jago reads his report.




 * Miles comments: We'll need to start setting up state-based branches, likely with integrated cross-Fusion membership
 * We'll need people to step up to run the state-level organisations, preferably not national-level organisers already wearing multiple hats

10 minute break [10:47]

 * MOTION: adjourn for a 10 minute break
 * Carried without dissent, resuming at 11:00

Financial Report [11:00]
John August presents the Treasurer's Report.



Commentary:


 * Primary expenditure this financial year was candidate nomination fees, $10,000.
 * Candidates generally paid for their own material but we covered their nomination fees, $2000.
 * Donations to candidates via Fusion.
 * Also money spent on IT and social media advertising.
 * We've ended the election period with about $1700 in the bank.
 * To support another election campaign soon we will need to do a lot of fundraising.
 * Good to run candidates, the question is how many and how much we can support them.
 * In other words, we were a little over-stretched on candidates this election.
 * In addition to stumping up the $2000 nomination fee we should be able to spend $1000 on each candidate's promotion

Miles comments on fundraising: traditionally we ran a party-level crowdfund in the lead up to the election, this year we ran per-candidate fundraisers. More active (especially on social media) candidates did much better. Ask for more money and you can often get it.

Discussion on mandatory membership fees


 * "PPAU chooses to err on the side of inclusivity"
 * Thus our membership fee is pay-what-you-can
 * milspec: a suggested amount would be good
 * Alex: important to keep in mind that tax-deductible donations to the party are only possible via Fusion.


 * Adam Woodings: "How is Fusion's budget doled out to the branches?"
 * John: there wasn't a lot of money going from Fusion to the branches, more the other way around (Fusion startup/overhead costs)
 * Roger (Fusion prez): process for this is still being worked out.
 * Priority is to set up a donation flow from Fusion so that people can donate tax-deductibly

In closing, congratulations to John on his lower house candidacy.

Policy Development Officer's report
Andrew Downing (PDO) presents his report.


 * At the start of the year, people expressed interest in developing a great range of topics
 * Then Fusion happened! My time has been spent in Fusion level policy working groups, rationalising the different positions we all had.
 * This work lead to a set of consensus policies that Fusion took to the election.
 * I also spent time on the Fusion Constitutional working group to define the federated model which allows groups like PPAU to retain our identity within Fusion.
 * Having said that, we do have a few things that made to Congress, both now and in November last year.
 * Sovereign Wealth Fund in November, Capital Gains Tax today.
 * I will not be re-contesting PDO so I strongly encourage people to nominate.
 * It's a challenging and interesting role... and a bit tedious at times, corralling people and achieving consensus and nailing down practicalities.

Miles thanks Andrew for his service both this year and in the many previous years.


 * "It's not necessary for policies to go through the Policy Development Committee, but it helps."
 * PDC members also tapped to write other text.
 * Pirates have a broad set of interests, so it's rare that we would choose not to have a policy on something.
 * The role of the PDO is to turn the debates into a policy we can take to the election.
 * Andrew: "The vast majority of policy we take to Congress is adopted with over 90% support, because we've already come to consensus on it."

International Relations report [11:30]
Jay Stephens, International Relations chair, presents his report.


 * Jay has been on Intl Rel since 2021 after a polite strong-arming
 * First goal: refresh the terms of reference
 * Pursued contact with Pirate Parties International and European Pirates
 * Reported back to National Council on what would be involved with re-joining PPI
 * Sat in on PPI events
 * They've modernised a lot since 2015
 * Collaboration with the German energy working group was very fruitful
 * Very knowledgeable, want to make themselves a resource for Pirates worldwide
 * Chilean Pirates are now launching a policy collation/coordination initiative
 * The German energy working group
 * Next steps:
 * revive the committee (not just Jay)
 * take international knowledge to feed into our policy
 * Remind international Pirates that APAC exists


 * Miles: APAC is very important; just look at China as an example of an authoritarian surveillance state. Our international relations have always been important, no less so with the Czech success and the US Pirates gaining momentum.
 * Maus: what about a policy position on Australia's relationship with the US?
 * Miles: good point! The US is also a surveillance state and in many ways reactionary (see their recent abortion backslide).
 * Jay: as Pirates, on issues like abortion, society's walking into a trap where anti-abortion activists have wrapped their control in a language of freedom. As left-libertarians we can and must push back there.
 * zach__: "what are the benefits and obligations of [joining] PPI?"
 * Miles: there's a small member fee. If we seriously considered applying we'd have a more detailed conversation. There's a general assembly of PPI every year. Anyone interested in observing PPI meetings already can. I have a lot of respect for their chair Bailey Lamont.
 * Jay: there's a soft benefit there in terms of drawing on international support for ideas and legitimacy. We're Pirates, drawn from the internet. Borders aren't our thing.
 * Miles: for example, not that long ago we did a very successful livestream with three Pirate MEPs.
 * Jay: and that's a perfect example. We don't have anyone elected but there on our stream we have three MEPs in important roles!
 * Miles: In the past we've benefited from people voting for us for a laugh based on the name. Moving forward we go away from that.
 * Jay: so many ways to do cross-fertilisation.

Thanks to Jay for his work through the year.

MOTIONS to accept the reports [11:50]

 * MOTION: accept the Financial Report as presented by the Treasurer.
 * Put by: Alex Jago
 * Ayes 14: Jay Stephens, Miles Whiticker, David Kennedy, Tyrone D'Lisle, Bryn Busai, JedB, DanielT, zach__, Adam Woodings, Alex Jago, Roger Whatling, Andrew Downing, milspec, Gold
 * Abstain 2: John August, maus
 * Motion CARRIED 11:55.


 * MOTION: accept the President's, Secretary's, Policy Development Officer's and International Relations Officer's reports as a block.
 * Put by: Alex Jago
 * Ayes: Tyrone D'Lisle, Miles Whiticker, Bryn Busai, JedB, David Kennedy. ROger Whatling, DanielT, Andrew Downing, milspec
 * Abstain: Alex Jago, Gold, maus, zach__, Adam Woodings

CAP-1
Alex Jago speaks to the motion.


 * Currently the Constitution requires use to hold a by-election to fill NC vacancies, potentially within the notice period of Congress.

Alex and Miles explain the procedure for CAPs and PMs in that

MOTION: approve CAP-1 "Casual Vacancies"

 * Put by: Alex Jago
 * Ayes 16: Tyrone D'Lisle, David Kennedy, Roger Whatling, Adam Woodings, Gold, zach__, DanielT, Bryn Busai, Andrew Downing, JedB, milspec, Alex Jago, maus, Jay Stephens, John August, Sean O'Farrell
 * Abstain 0; Nay 0.
 * Motion CARRIED 12:13.
 * CAP-1 proceeds to online ballot of all Full Members of the party.

Lunch [12:16 - 13:16]

 * Procedural MOTION: break for lunch (1 hour)
 * Put by: Miles Whiticker
 * Ayes Miles Whiticker, David Kennedy, Andrew Downing,Gold, Jay Stephens, Bryn Busai, DanielT, Adam Woodings, Roger Whatling, JedB, maus, John August, Alex Jago, Simon
 * Abstain 1 (milspec)
 * Nay 1 (Tyrone D'Lisle)
 * Motion CARRIED 12:16.

PM-1 Capital Gains Tax reform
Andrew Downing, PDO, reads out the proposed new policy text and rationale.

Pirate_Congress_2022/Motions/CGT_Reform

Key points:


 * Very wealthy people can avoid tax by borrowing against appreciating assets
 * Capital gains can be achieved in several ways, some of which do not involve the owner contributing to the economy, or occur only in nominal terms.
 * This impacts how we should tax capital gains.
 * However, depreciated improvements represent a capital investment and should be treated as contributing to a value increase just as business investment

Comments and questions:


 * milspec: Love this. I'd like to go harder on gifts and inheritance but happy to leave that for another day
 * morton: this is basically just doubling CGT for most people, difficult politically
 * zach__: yes, this is a tax increase: An associated reduction in income tax would be nice, but not part of the scope of policy since that is covered elsewhere
 * AndrewD: something to note is that over the last few decades things have become much harder for young people: housing, student debt, so value is accruing in the elderly. This will be passed on as inheritances, so we don't necessarily want to get in the way of that. We also don't want to kick people out of their freshly inherited houses because they can't afford the tax bill on inheriting it. Simultaneously, we don't want to give special treatment just because it was an inheritance, so that's why the CGT basis should be "when it was purchased" even if it was inherited in between.
 * milspec: The current tax system, as unfair as it is, does reset the CGT obligation on inheritance.
 * QUESTION from DanielT: does this policy affect family trusts? Only actual assets?
 * Answer: same rules for the trust as for everyone else. We also have policies to tax trusts as companies (i.e. at the business tax rate). If we wanted a separate (and broader) policy around trusts in general, that would be a fruitful area of investigation.
 * QUESTION from Morton: What are your thoughts that removing the 50% CGT would result in mass selling of assets before the date that the increased CGT is implemented? And what measures could you take to prevent that
 * Answer: I don't think it'd quite work out like that for homeowners because of the depreciated improvements and inflation adjustment. Anyone who was hanging out to hold the house for just over a year was already flipping it, that just moves up the timeline. Long-term owners will possibly even be advantaged if inflation has contributed to more than 50% of their nominal price gain. Overall we would prefer people to switch to more productive investments anyway. Australia's asset inflation needs to be pulled to a stop for future generations to have a chance.

Andrew thanks varno (not present) for his contributions to (=and instigation of this policy.

MOTION: adopt PM-1 [13:56]

 * Motion: Adopt PM-1 Capital Gains Tax Reform as the new section 6.7 of the Economic Reform policy.
 * Put by: Andrew Downing
 * Ayes : Miles Whiticker, Alex Jago, Andrew Downing, David Kennedy, Gold, zach__, Bryn Busai, John August, milspec, Adam Woodings, JedB, DanielT, Roger Whatling, Morton
 * Abstain 3: maus, Deadbeat, Tyrone D'Lisle
 * Motion CARRIED at 14:01.
 * PM-1 proceeds to online ballot of all Full Members.

PM-2 Climate Change and Energy policy update
Tyrone speaks to the policy.


 * Reworded to make the language a bit more robust.
 * "I felt that we needed to take a stronger stance here, particularly on energy given the recent crisis."
 * Changed wording around scientific consensus on climate, and about the energy market.
 * More substantial is removing prohibitions on nuclear energy / reprocessing / mining
 * Also removing taxes on electric vehicles and getting to standardised charging plug


 * QUESTION from jedb: in the third paragraph, would be it better to replace "have the most known uranium" with "have very high known uranium and thorium reserves"?
 * Tyrone accepts the amendment


 * QUESTION from Gold: How long are we planning to remove taxes on EVs? I agree with all the rest of your points, but that point is a big one for me
 * Tyrone: Good question, we'd probably want to leave that generalised at the moment given we're unlikely to be enacting it in the immediate future


 * John August observes that "we had a mildly pro-nuclear policy initially, and this makes that far more strident".
 * Concern about spending "weirdness budget" on this topic - is taking this on worth it for the party? Good to stick to our principles though.


 * Tyrone: I actually don't think this is a controversial position to have. One of the reasons I came to PPAU/Fusion because we're a progressive party willing to engage in nuclear discussion. There are more people like me.
 * John: I know what it's like to write something and have people chuck rocks. So I have sympathy.
 * https://essentialvision.com.au/support-for-nuclear-energy-in-australia


 * QUESTION from milspec: I love the carbon tax, but why remove the GST on energy?
 * Tyrone: this is actually a holdover from the existing policy! Beyond that I can't really speak to it.
 * Andrew: don't forget "replace it with a carbon price".


 * QUESTION from milspec: How do we get EV owners to contribute to the cost of road maintenance and construction?
 * Tyrone: you're correct that that's not in this policy. We should probably address that separately.


 * QUESTION from jedb: in the third reform point, what is meant by "food additives to reduce farm emissions"?
 * Tyrone: this is another holdover. There's a seaweed-derived additive for cow diets that reduces their methane emissions by a lot.


 * QUESTION from milspec: do we need to retain prohibition on uranium processing to the level of highly enriched uranium (ie. Weapons grade)?
 * Tyrone: Yes. We would still need to meet our international treaty obligations on non proliferation.


 * QUESTION from morton: Is there any preference towards the type of reactors that are used? E.G heavy vs light water? Or not really
 * Tyrone: no specific preference. We should be guided by the evidence about what's right commercially, for the site location, etc. The industry is leaning to light water small modular reactors as the option for Australia.


 * QUESTION from Adam W: do you see the role of ARPANSA (rad protection and nuclear safety agency) expanding if the prohibition is repealed, or would there need to be a dedicated regulator?
 * Tyrone: Expanding ARPANSA probably the first step. If we developed a big nuclear industry we might need a more specific agency for power stations.
 * Simply removing the prohibition doesn't necessarily mean much need for additional regulation if doing stuff isn't commercially viable.


 * AMENDMENT proposal: update point 2 to clarify that we are retaining prohibitions on weapons grade uranium processing and abiding by nuclear non proliferation
 * Tyrone agrees to the amendment.


 * QUESTION from Miles: we used to have a $2 figure which has been removed - what happened there?
 * Tyrone: the specific required figure changes anyway, so I wanted to generalise the policy without committing to something potentially incorrect.
 * Miles: agreed, though I would like to commit to a new definite figure soon.


 * QUESTION from Roger: what are the current taxes on EVs?
 * Tyrone: the big one at present is the luxury car tax. States are also looking at taxes on new EV purchases. Broadly, we should be looking to minimise the barriers on EV purchases. Long term we need to revisit how we price road use, but that's a separate policy. Happy to remove it for now.


 * QUESTION from Morton: What are thoughts on systems in other countries main cities such as London England removing road tolls for electric vehicles. 100% petrol cars are charged the full toll, while hybrid pay less for the toll
 * This is similar to removing EV taxes. Again, we want to incentivise short-term EV update, but long term there are reasons we tax vehicle usage.

Miles proposes splitting this motion into two parts: one with the nuclear bits, one without.


 * milspec proposes: remove the "Remove the GST on energy".
 * Withdrawn after Roger points out that's carried over and removing it represents a big change both to that and to Tyrone's intent.

MOTION: adopt PM-2 "Climate Change and Energy update", as amended [14:50]

 * Put by: Tyrone D'Lisle
 * Ayes 13: Morton, Miles Whiticker, Andrew Downing, Alex Jago, Adam Woodings, David Kennedy, Deadbeat, JedB, Bryn Busai, Tyrone D'Lisle, Jay Stephens, Simon, milspec
 * Abstains 2: John August, DanielT
 * Nays 1: zach__
 * Motion CARRIED 14:52
 * PM-2 proceeds to online ballot of Full Members

PM-3 Nuclear Energy - Position Statement

 * Tyrone: The point of this position statement is to expand on the reasons for including nuclear energy in PM-2 (which we just voted on).
 * (Tyrone lists various points in support of nuclear energy, that the statement covers)


 * Alex: we need to make the same amendment re. non-proliferation
 * Simon: I feel like there needs to be a specific reference to nuclear fusion
 * Tyrone accepts these amendments and proposes:
 * For these reasons, Pirate Party Australia supports the removal of prohibitions on nuclear energy (both fission and fusion), nuclear fuel fabrication and reprocessing, and uranium mining in Australia at all levels of government, while retaining prohibitions on weapons-grade processing and abiding by nuclear non-proliferation agreements.
 * Amendment incorporated.


 * QUESTION from Morton: In regards to uranium mining, how does this apply in circumstances that uranium is found in places such as rainforests that should be protected? Is this something that should be explicitly mentioned in the position statement?
 * Tyrone: I don't think we need to explicitly address it. Uranium mining would just be treated like other mining (though we do need better regulation there too).


 * COMMENT from JedB: the second paragraph sentences don't follow from each other, since the first sentence is talking about reliability, cost, and greenhouse gases, while the second sentence is talking about safety, so "for this reason" should be removed from the start of the second sentence there
 * Amendment incorporated.

MOTION: Adopt PM-3 "Nuclear Energy - Position Statement", as amended [15:03]

 * Put by: Tyrone D'Lisle
 * Ayes : Miles Whiticker, zach__, Adam Woodings, Simon, Deadbeat, Bryn Busai, Jay Stephens, David Kennedy, JedB, Gold, Andrew Downing, Roger Whatling, milspec, Alex Jago
 * Abstain: John August
 * Motion CARRIED 15:05
 * PM-3 proceeds to online ballot of Full Members

PM-4 GMOs and Precision Fermentation - Position Statement

 * Tyrone: "I've written this not so much because of AU regulatory barriers but because of those overseas"
 * With climate change and geopolitical issues, these technologies supplement existing conventional agriculture
 * We need to support their adoption/commercialisation with a consistent regulatory framework
 * PPAU could be leaders in this emerging policy space


 * PROPOSAL from JohnA: Include reference to our IP policy ban on patents on life.
 * Tyrone: "I'll have to go and have a look at that."
 * Note that the position statement would not override the existing policy text on
 * John A: note the intersection with commercialisation


 * Question from milspec: I want to see more GMO, and lab grown meat, but do we need some approval process to ensure food safety?
 * Tyrone: there are existing processes there, so I don't think we need to put that in the position statement.


 * Comment from zach__: The line "The WHO has found that GMOs are safe" is extremely broad, as if ALL GMOs are safe, when its entirely plausible that some aren't.
 * JedB concurs: I'm inclined to think that blanket claims that "GMO's a safe" are about as silly as blanket claims that they are dangerous.
 * Simon: I think it should be reiterate that it is subject to existing safety regulations.
 * Adam W: Not just food safety, but potential environmental impact from flora that can out compete natives if released.


 * Simon proposes adding "GMOs are already subject to Australian and International standards and regulations to ensure safety".
 * Roger counter-proposes "While the WHO has found that GMOs can be safe [2], Pirate Party Australia acknowledges the continued need for regulation of safety and environmental impact.""
 * Tyrone and Simon accept the amendment as worded by Roger.


 * PROPOSAL from John:
 * Add to end of last paragraph: "This is in the context of our general ban on patents on "naturally occurring living and genetic material" as per our policy "A streamlined patent system".
 * Tyrone accepts the amendment


 * COMMENT from JedB: Stating that food production accounts for 26% of GHG emissions is probably misleading, as that includes things like packaging, transport, and refrigeration. The entire emissions from agriculture and forestry is more around 18-19%.
 * John suggests "and associated activity"
 * Miles: "Note that agriculture and food production is more than growing stuff and farting cows. Land clearing also has a big impact."
 * Tyrone: "I take the point but please note that this figure is referenced."


 * Comment from Morton: Current references don't have any studies in regards to the current challenges and benefits of lab grown meat. Would it be good to add a study in this topic to references? Such as one of the following?
 * https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S209531191460887X
 * http://www.foodprotect.org/media/site/future-sustainable-alternative-to-meat.pdf
 * Tyrone: I'd need to take a while to look those over. I think the text of the statement already covers it pretty adequately.


 * Proposed addition/modification to the last paragraph by Morton, with further tweaks by Tyrone and Alex:
 * The big challenge of a sustainable future food supply can only be achieved by pursuing a number of viable solutions that will only become effective when combined. GMOs, precision fermentation and lab grown meat are among the many possible factors that can contribute to solve the problem. Through greater use of these technologies, we can reduce the environmental impacts of food production which also ensuring we retain a high standard of living and improve food security. For these reasons, Pirate Party Australia supports removing any legislative bans on these technologies, a streamlining of regulations to support their adoption, and government investment into their research and commercialisation in Australia.
 * Amendments agreed to.

MOTION: adopt PM-4 "GMOs and Precision Fermentation - Position Statement", as amended [15:33]

 * Put by: Tyrone D'Lisle
 * Ayes Tyrone D'Lisle, Adam Woodings, Morton, Miles Whiticker, John August, David Kennedy, JedB, Bryn Busai, milspec, Simon, Andrew Downing, Roger Whatling, Gold, Alex Jago
 * Abstain 1: Deadbeat
 * Nays 1: zach__
 * Motion CARIRIED 15:37
 * PM-4 proceeds to online ballot of Full Members

Closing discussion [15:38]
Miles: there are no formal motions this year, though we did initially consider some in relation to our membership mechanisms. This would entail merging our separate membership database into Fusion's NationBuilder instance. We have a number of relatively open discussion topics that we can get to tomorrow afternoon around the direction of the party. I'd be happy to go through our campaigning methodology, for example.


 * milspec: Any updates from Fusion exec?
 * Miles: the big upcoming one is the new donations and payments. We are looking for book-keeping help at an accounting level.


 * Miles: There is also much work to be done in aligning membership processes across Fusion.


 * Simon: I too would like a bit of a rundown of how the Pirates are integrated with Fusion and where we really stand as our own entity
 * Miles: We retain our independence in many ways. Campaigns are joint, of course, and we need to align to an extent.
 * Roger: some things are behind the scenes for a bit because they're resolving semi-unspoken agreements that were done in a quick and dirty fashion prior to the election. There is a massive part of Fusion that is now unaligned to any branch - 300 new members - so we need a process to engage them and support existing branches and even new branches. There is a bit of a split view on whether to really push the branch-based model (which I agree with). Ultimately, each branch is its own legal entity. But Fusion is the electoral entity, so it's Fusion that needs the attention in a lot of ways.


 * Satch: we need a mechanism for Pirate members to share their contact details with the Fusion database.


 * Adam: is the branding changing? I know there was some discussion.
 * Roger: some of that will depend on how the values process shakes out. "Fusion" and its branding were chosen very quickly. We'll figure this out in the next 12 months. If we change, it will be something long-standing.
 * Alex: the more you change, the less you can re-use
 * Dave: I got a lot of people asking if we were all about nuclear...
 * Roger: even the anti-fission people in Fusion are still OK with fusion.

Miles: Our policies change year on year, our values change much more slowly. So let's hold informal discussions overnight. What does it mean to be a Pirate - now in the context of Fusion?


 * zach__: With common policies in Fusion, would PPAU narrow its policy focus?
 * Miles: that's definitely a possibility.

End of Day 1 [16:00]
Miles thanks everyone who's tuned in over the course of the day... and reminds people that nominations are still open with some vacant positions (Deputy President and Deputy Treasurer).


 * MOTION: adjourn until tomorrow.
 * Put by: Alex Jago
 * Carried without dissent at 16:00.

Meeting adjourned until 10am Sunday.