Transparency – Page 14 of 16 – Pirate Party Australia

Former Attorney-General Ignores Consumers, Supports Industry Instead

Posted on January 10, 2012

Pirate Party Australia are still deeply dissatisfied with the lack of consumer involvement in talks held by the Attorney-General’s Department with ISPs and content rights holders.

The talks that occurred on the 23rd of September last year deliberately excluded consumers from any negotiations or deliberations, as documents released under the Freedom of Information Act in December reveal. The documents frequently reference the importance of the consumer, and yet indicate a continual push for an industry-based solution. “Relevant consumer groups [will be consulted] once industry discussions have reached an appropriate stage”[1] says one document.

The documents also indicate that consumers are not considered key-stakeholders in regards to online copyright infringement, and yet urge industry to consider the consumer interests.

Pirates Salute Media’s Rejection Of AG Censorship

Posted on October 21, 2011

Pirate Party Australia applauds media organisations and unions for their rejection of the recent attempt by the Attorney-General to impose a regime of self-censorship on the press[1]. This is a great victory for freedom of speech and information over an increasingly autocratic government, and highlights unnoticed ways in which new media is empowering old media in our democracy.

Pirates Raise More Concerns Over Attorney-General’s Conduct

Posted on October 16, 2011

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’”

Pirate Party Raises Concerns Over Stakeholder Exclusion

Posted on September 23, 2011

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.

Australian Government Must Protect Its’ Citizens

Posted on December 3, 2010

The Australian government, and governments generally, have a duty to protect its citizens and represent them abroad — irrespective of their race, religion or political persuasion. Statements by representatives of the Australian Government run counter to these responsibilities towards Julian Assange, an Australian citizen.

Mr. Assange has faced calls from the United States for his arrest, with Mike Huckabee, a former Republican presidential hopeful, reportedly saying that those responsible for the leaks were guilty of treason and should face execution.¹