Category: Press Release

Press releases

Pirates Raise More Concerns Over Attorney-General’s Conduct

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Since Pirate Party Australia highlighted[1] major flaws in the recently released discussion paper by the Attorney-General’s Department, it has come to our attention that the paper has been quietly changed to a very redacted version with no public notification. This is an unacceptably opaque attack on our civil liberties, and only further highlights the Government’s continual attempts to limit the public’s involvement in any governmental decision making.

There are significant changes to the redacted version. The title of the original paper is “Revising the Scope of the Copyright ‘Safe Harbour Scheme’ & The Process of Seeking ISP Subscriber Details in Copyright Infringement Matters” while the suddenly redacted version is entitled simply “Revising the Scope of the Copyright ‘Safe Harbour Scheme’”

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Pirate Party’s Victoria Chapter Tired Of Bailleau Government’s Attacks On Free Speech

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The Victorian chapter of Pirate Party Australia has had enough of Premier Ted Baillieu’s attacks on free speech.

In June of this year, the Premier gave the police powers to issue on-the-spot fines of over $200 for indecent or offensive language.[1]

Now the Premier has announced plans to amend the Gaming Regulation Act to penalise those who are exercising their constitutional rights to criticise politicians and their policies.

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Pirate Party Raises Concerns Over Stakeholder Exclusion

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According to recent reports in The Australian[1] and The Canberra Times[2], the Attorney General will today host a stakeholder meeting with the many fronts and faces of the copyright lobby and various ISPs with which they wish to saddle the responsibility for enforcing their monopoly. The Attorney General however has convened this meeting with one of the most important stakeholders absent – you.

“It is deeply concerning. To allow big media a free hand in drafting copyright legislation and dictating terms of enforcement without consulting other stakeholders will result in laws that benefit only big media at the expense of artists and consumers,” said Simon Frew, Acting Secretary.

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Pirate Party Australia Congratulates Piratenpartei Germany On Their Election Success

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Pirate Party Australia salutes and congratulates the Pirate Party of Germany, Die Piratenpartei, on their historic election victory in the Federal State of Berlin.

After five years of hard work, the Pirates of Germany have finally reaped the rewards of their labour and are likely to secure about fifteen seats in the state legislature. This will put them in a position to contribute new perspectives and voices to the government of Berlin, with a uniquely positioned understanding of the world of today.

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ALRC National Classification Scheme Review Submission

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No PDF of submission

Below is the submission that Pirate Party Australia made to the Australian Law Reform Committee National Classification Scheme review. In summary, we recommended a voluntary system similar to PEGI or ESRB and recommended the abolition of the Refused Classification category.

Answering this inquiry in such a regimented format proved to be quite troublesome for such a broad inquiry, but we believe that we have answered the questions to the best of our ability.

Thanks to all those who contributed to this paper, your input is greatly appreciated!

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