Pirate Congress 2013/Nominations
Adding a Nomination
If you wish to nominate yourself for a position, please create your nomination using the template below. If you need assistance adding your nomination, shoot an email to [email protected] and we'll help you out.
Catty McCat
- None
Nominations
National Council
President
Melanie Thomas
I'm currently QLD senate candidate and member of the Policy Development Committee, as well as being active on the Election Committee and the recently formed Protest for Privacy committee. I'm also a strong member of the Queensland branch, with secondary responsibility to run meetings in the absence of the Coordinator. These positions are seeing me forge strong connections within the community that hold similar views to the Pirate Party, such as the QLD Greens. This enables me to actively collaborate and assist with the building of a movement that can help us move closer to many of our primary goals.
As a senate candidate, I have a strong knowledge of the party policies and the ability to break these down for general public consumption. I believe I possess the qualities necessary for the President position, that being leadership ability, a mind for strategy, the energy to manage multiple priorities and the passion for the party to guide us ahead as we grow into a viable force for change.- Policy Development Committee - have chaired multiple working groups
- Qld Senate candidate - assisted in the strategy for the 2013 election
I agreed with the party platform so strongly, I felt compelled to join the Pirates. I have never been a member of another political party. As a member of the policy development committee, I have assisted in the development and writing of many of our policies, and in particular, have assisted in the introduction of policy outside of our initial core tenets. I agree 100% with all of our policies and stand completely dedicated to them as senate candidate.
As primarily a civil libertarian, I do have a particular affinity with the policies developed around civil liberties preservation, privacy, digital liberties, and freedom of information. Now has never been such an important time in history to be an active member of the Pirate Party.- None
Simon Frew
I have served Pirate Party Australia to the best of my ability since I first joined. I have extensive experience on the full range of issues that we hold dear (see below for specific examples). I am a good public speaker, competent and experienced at debating issues and fielding questions from journalists. I have been involved in politics for the last seventeen years and have a wealth of experience to bring to the position.
I feel that I am a strong advocate for Pirate politics and have a lot of experience in handing the many facets of running and representing the Party. I have served diligently as Deputy President for the last two years and think I am capable of stepping up and providing the Party with stronger, more articulate leadership going forward.
We have an important role to play in Australian politics. We have already had some influence, but this needs to grow in the face of mass surveillance, secret treaties like the TPPA and out of touch politicians. I think that by encouraging broader participation from our members, whilst encouraging our growth in numbers we have a promising future and a greater impact on Australian politics.
I have been a member of the Pirate Party since our first AFK meet up, having served on the National Council for the last three years, first being co-Secretary and Deputy President the last two years. I am currently also the NSW State Coordinator and the Campaign Director for the upcoming Federal Election.
I have represented Pirate Party Australia on a variety of platforms, speaking at protests in support of Wikileaks (see attached video below), debated the copyright lobby at the Sydney Film Festival and was the delegate to the 2013 Pirate Party International General Assembly (farcical as it was). I have been a tireless campaigner against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, authoring our contribution for the Melbourne round, attending many consultations including the up-coming consultation a couple of days before congress. I have helped work on a number of submissions to government inquiries including the National Security and Copyright Inquiries. Most recently I called for and helped organise protests against the NSA and blanket surveillance after the PRISM spying scandal broke.
My passion for politics pre-dates the Pirate Party and consequently I have quite a varied political history which is briefly sketched out below.
- 1996 to 1998 member of Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance. (Were too authoritarian)
- Campaigned against racism and Pauline Hanson's One Nation party.
- Started working with the libertarian socialist and Anarchist movements (much the same thing)
- Campaigned for equitable treatment for refugees
- Worked on local environmental issues
- Involved in student politics until 2007 including two years on Wollongong University Student Association Council
- Wrote regularly for the Tertangala (Wollongong University student paper) in that time
- Became increasingly interested in the free software movement, Creative Commons and social media
- As a musician I have made all of my music available under Creative Commons licence
- This is my most preferred position
- None
Deputy President
David Crafti
Currently, I am on the Policy Development Committee, where my areas of interest have been on transparent governance (whistleblowers and FOI), constitutionally enshrining a Bill of Rights and civil liberties. Prior to that, I was on the dispute resolution committee, and as an active member of the Victorian crew, I've spoken at rallies on behalf of the party. I was also the first President of the party, back in 2009, and I worked on establishing a presence in the media, as well as working on press releases, and helped lay down some of the party's foundations as a formal entity.
By the end of this year, I should be completed with my Master of Laws degree, which I have spent 4 years completing, not to practice, but to establish a credible position from which to advocate for Pirate ideals.- President - 2009-2010
- Helping lay the foundations of the party's structure
- Working with the media to get our story and positions out
- Working on press releases
- Organising and speaking at an anti-censorship rally - My speech: http://www.craftiscranium.com/2010/03/anti-censorship-rally-follow-up.html
- Dispute Resolutions Committee - 2010-2012
- It was nice and peaceful, so no disputes to resolve
- Policy Development Committee - 2013
- Worked on many of the policies to be voted on at the congress
- Member - 2009-2013
- Spoke twice at pro-Wikileaks protests - My speech: http://www.craftiscranium.com/2012/06/supporting-julian-assange-melbourne.html
- I am helping to organise the Victorian Protect our Privacy rally coming up in July
Brendan Molloy
I have been the Secretary of the Party for the last 3 years, a member since shortly after founding in 2008, and am currently the lead senate candidate on the NSW ballot. I have represented the Party at several relevant events, such as the Australian Internet Governance Forum (auIGF) and Australian Digital Alliance (ADA) forum. Just recently I flew to Western Australia to speak at a forum about our policies and recruit members so we can be a strong party in every state.
Also, as a strong advocate against the provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, I have attended all of the public briefings, and will be meeting with DFAT a few days before Congress to discuss how they can be actually transparent regarding this treaty, and other treaties in the future. Prior to this, I worked heavily against ACTA, and assisted on multiple of the Party's submissions to the ALRC and Senate.
In the role of Secretary I have done a lot of the administration of the Party over the last three years, and I would love the opportunity to take an even more public facing role, with less busy work.
I would be able to focus on advocating the Party's policies and values, and less time managing Party affairs, and building up the Party's network of supporters and advocates in the process.
- Member since 2008
- Secretary for last 3 years
- Campaigns assistance, such as:
- #natsecinquiry Petition
- Protect Our Privacy #prismbreak protest website
- Several freedom of information requests targeting censorship and free trade agreement information
- Party services and architecture, such as:
- Managing our IRC services
- Managing, coding and ensuring the security of the membership database
- Preparing the election software used for the Policy and Preselection Meeting and this coming Congress
- Public representations on behalf of the party, such as:
- Australian Digital Alliance copyright forums
- auIGF - Australian Internet Governance Forum (last year)
- Meetings with DFAT on ACTA and TPP
- Flying to Perth to participate in GetUp forum last month (#thanksgetup)
- Working with the Programming Working Group on our deliberative liquid democracy project Polly
That's a list of what I can think of off the top of my head what I've contributed to the movement in recent times. I will continue to actively advocate our policies and work with other groups to ensure our voice is heard in the public arena.
The Pirate Party is the only movement I have ever been a part of, and I cherish the fact that I am lucky enough to be in a position that I can guide the development of such a down to earth movement. With a focus on truely evidence-based policy development, I can trust that our policies are build on a bedrock of research, and am more comfortable advocating even the most difficult policies due to this.
My pet policy area would be information freedom: government transparency, censorship and data retention. Dismantling this culture of ceding to authority without justification is one of the most difficult issues of our time, and I look forward to fighting it along side all of you.
Simon Frew
I have served Pirate Party Australia to the best of my ability since I first joined. I have extensive experience on the full range of issues that we hold dear (see below for specific examples). I am a good public speaker, competent and experienced at debating issues and fielding questions from journalists. I have been involved in politics for the last seventeen years and have a wealth of experience to bring to the position.
I feel that I am a strong advocate for Pirate politics and have a lot of experience in handing the many facets of running and representing the Party. I have served diligently as Deputy President for the last two years and am happy to serve in the same role going forward.
We have an important role to play in Australian politics. We have already had some influence, but this needs to grow in the face of mass surveillance, secret treaties like the TPPA and out of touch politicians. I think that by encouraging broader participation from our members, whilst encouraging our growth in numbers we have a promising future and a greater impact on Australian politics.
I have been a member of the Pirate Party since our first AFK meet up, having served on the National Council for the last three years, first being co-Secretary and Deputy President the last two years. I am currently also the NSW State Coordinator and the Campaign Director for the upcoming Federal Election.
I have represented Pirate Party Australia on a variety of platforms, speaking at protests in support of Wikileaks (see attached video below), debated the copyright lobby at the Sydney Film Festival and was the delegate to the 2013 Pirate Party International General Assembly (farcical as it was). I have been a tireless campaigner against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, authoring our contribution for the Melbourne round, attending many consultations including the up-coming consultation a couple of days before congress. I have helped work on a number of submissions to government inquiries including the National Security and Copyright Inquiries. Most recently I called for and helped organise protests against the NSA and blanket surveillance after the PRISM spying scandal broke.
My passion for politics pre-dates the Pirate Party and consequently I have quite a varied political history which is briefly sketched out below.
- 1996 to 1998 member of Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance. (Were too authoritarian)
- Campaigned against racism and Pauline Hanson's One Nation party.
- Started working with the libertarian socialist and Anarchist movements (much the same thing)
- Campaigned for equitable treatment for refugees
- Worked on local environmental issues
- Involved in student politics until 2007 including two years on Wollongong University Student Association Council
- Wrote regularly for the Tertangala (Wollongong University student paper) in that time
- Became increasingly interested in the free software movement, Creative Commons and social media
- As a musician I have made all of my music available under Creative Commons licence
- This is my second most preferred position
- Wikileaks Speech
Melanie Thomas
I'm currently QLD senate candidate and member of the Policy Development Committee, as well as being active on the Election Committee and the recently formed Protest for Privacy committee. I'm also a strong member of the Queensland branch, with secondary responsibility to run meetings in the absence of the Coordinator. These positions are seeing me forge strong connections within the community that hold similar views to the Pirate Party, such as the QLD Greens. This enables me to actively collaborate and assist with the building of a movement that can help us move closer to many of our primary goals.
As a senate candidate, I have a strong knowledge of the party policies and the ability to break these down for general public consumption. I believe I possess the qualities necessary for the President position, that being leadership ability, a mind for strategy, the energy to manage multiple priorities and the passion for the party to guide us ahead as we grow into a viable force for change.- Policy Development Committee - have chaired multiple working groups
- Qld Senate candidate - assisted in the strategy for the 2013 election
I agreed with the party platform so strongly, I felt compelled to join the Pirates. I have never been a member of another political party. As a member of the policy development committee, I have assisted in the development and writing of many of our policies, and in particular, have assisted in the introduction of policy outside of our initial core tenets. I agree 100% with all of our policies and stand completely dedicated to them as senate candidate.
As primarily a civil libertarian, I do have a particular affinity with the policies developed around civil liberties preservation, privacy, digital liberties, and freedom of information. Now has never been such an important time in history to be an active member of the Pirate Party.- None
David Campbell
- None.
Secretary
Daniel Judge
I am committed to seeing the Pirate Party become an important political force in Australia and recognise that to achieve this goal there needs to be someone to do the less exciting administrative tasks which ensure that an organisation can function effectively and engage its members.
I currently work full-time at the University of Wollongong as an "Analyst/Web Architect" (aka Web/Multimedia Programmer') and have done so for the past 11 years. In 2010 I completed a Bachelor of Internet Science and Technology with Distinction, having changed from half way through second year of an earlier Bachelor of Arts (History & Politics degree). I feel these give me a good awareness of IT issues as well as their associated socio-political ramifications.
Previously I worked the Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs at the Commonwealth Employment Service in various roles, ranging from in house Computer Trainer, to Case Manager of Long Term Unemployed, to administering large scale recruitment activities, running workshops, as well as a range of Administrative activities.
In addition to the above I also have completed certificates, diplomas and training courses in a number of areas such as Spanish Language, Electronics Technology, Office Administration, Multimedia Production and various in house employer training in matters such as dispute resolution, cross cultural awareness, indigenous affairs, time management, Equal Employment Opportunity, and interview panels.
My education and employment history has given me a broad experience in dealing with people from a wide array of backgrounds and motivations and allow me to have a good grasp in many different fields of interest.
I am a father of three and have traveled extensively around the world.
Since joining the Pirate Party I have taken on the task of marking up and maintaining meeting minutes on the wiki for General Meetings, National Council meetings and other Committee meetings, taking down the minutes for many meetings (be that live, or at times scouring the chat logs), and doing my best to keep abreast of all facets of party activities ensuring I have an understanding of what is going on at any time and thus being best able to assist officers and members to achieve their own tasks and goals when necessary.
I currently serve on the Policy Development Committee, helping to draft, approve and broaden current and future party policies. I have worked on the Registration Work Group, matching the details of our membership against the Electoral roll and where necessary contacting numerous members to update their information, so as to facilitate the successful registration of the Pirate Party with the AEC. I have assisted when possible in the writing and proofing of a number of Press Releases and review/inquiry submissions.
I have also established and maintain a number of wiki resources such as the National Security Inquiry page and NSA Surveillance/PRISM pages with the intent to broaden these to encompass a wider array of issues and events.
It is my goal as Secretary to facilitate the smooth running of the party, its activities and support the party co-ordinators and other officers in their own activities, as well as broaden the active membership of Pirate Party and try to engage as many people as possible into becoming more active participants in the Pirate Party.
In the Pirate Party I have finally found a political party and movement that I feel has the right mix of policies, principles and democratic practice. I cannot escape the fact that I feel that the broadening of the surveillance state is the biggest threat to our way of life and the democratic future of the next generations. Meanwhile the Internet stands to be one of the most crucial tools and one of the best opportunities to enable the people to empower themselves, educate themselves and set things right. Similarly it could also be a great danger should it be subverted by those who fear it, or who stand to gain by turning it against the population. Preventing this outcome is imperative to deciding the direction of society in coming years. As such I wholeheartedly support the Pirate Party platform and its ideals.
I have a long history of being involved in politics having many decades ago been a member of the Labor Party, however I quickly became disillusioned with the internal machinations of the ALP and resigned long ago. I then became involved in what is now the Socialist Alliance, but was not comfortable with many of their actions and ideals, not least of which was a far too authoritarian nature.
During the late 90's early 00's I was involved in many grass-roots local groups and campaigns around local environmental issues, Freedom for East Timor, Anti-War, refugee issues and opposing racism and Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party.
Having largely left the political scene due to family illnesses, a desire to raise a family and the drive to complete my University degree, I had observed the Pirate Party with interest from its foundation days, finally joining just over a year ago due to an overwhelming desire to help the party achieve its successful registration. Having done so, I now haven't looked back and am grateful to finally find a political party that matches my own views and principles in regard to transparency, participatory democracy, information technology, and the focus on digital rights and civil liberties.
- My IRC Handle is "Feenicks" - which therefore is what some people may know me by.
Deputy Secretary
Mozart Olbrycht-Palmer
My contributions so far have included:
- Press Officer — nearly two years.
- Deputy Secretary — 12 months.
- Significant contributions to submissions for reviews and inquiries.
- Member of the Pirate Parties International Court of Arbitration (2012).
- Worked with several other Pirate Parties around the world.
- This is my least preferred position.
- Blog
Joseph Miles
The addictive nature of active membership can't be understated. I don't want to just sit back and enjoy the work of other members – I want to continue to help get the work done to further Pirate ideals.
Like the free software movement, Pirates have shown the value of motivated, talented people engaging in collaborative work. I'd like to play a strong supporting role for the many talented members to keep this amazing work going.- Policy Development Committee
- Election Committee
- Senate Candidate for Victoria
This is what I plan to do over the next year, whether elected as Deputy Secretary or not;
- Maintain a relevant, persistent Pirate voice in publications and public debate on our core ideals
- Foster collaborative work
- Grow and consolidate on relationships developed with other groups
- None
David Crafti
Currently, I am on the Policy Development Committee, where my areas of interest have been on transparent governance (whistleblowers and FOI), constitutionally enshrining a Bill of Rights and civil liberties. Prior to that, I was on the dispute resolution committee, and as an active member of the Victorian crew, I've spoken at rallies on behalf of the party. I was also the first President of the party, back in 2009, and I worked on establishing a presence in the media, as well as working on press releases, and helped lay down some of the party's foundations as a formal entity.
By the end of this year, I should be completed with my Master of Laws degree, which I have spent 4 years completing, not to practice, but to establish a credible position from which to advocate for Pirate ideals.- President - 2009-2010
- Helping lay the foundations of the party's structure
- Working with the media to get our story and positions out
- Working on press releases
- Organising and speaking at an anti-censorship rally - My speech: http://www.craftiscranium.com/2010/03/anti-censorship-rally-follow-up.html
- Dispute Resolutions Committee - 2010-2012
- It was nice and peaceful, so no disputes to resolve
- Policy Development Committee - 2013
- Worked on many of the policies to be voted on at the congress
- Member - 2009-2013
- Spoke twice at pro-Wikileaks protests - My speech: http://www.craftiscranium.com/2012/06/supporting-julian-assange-melbourne.html
- I am helping to organise the Victorian Protect our Privacy rally coming up in July
Treasurer
Ben McGinnes
I have worked on a number of issues which advance the interests of the party, including being a member of:
- the Policy Development Committee
- the Elections Committee
- This is my preferred position.
- Website: Organised Adversary
- IRC handles: Hasimir, Ben
Deputy Treasurer
David Campbell
- None.
Mark Gibbons
I have served in the ACT branch as deputy president, and was a candidate for PPAU in the ACT elections. In that role I fronted community gatherings, gave radio and newspaper interviews, represented the party in forums, and acted as policy developer for the ACT branch. I wrote a speech or two on pirate issues during the campaign as well.
As already noted, I've also worked to develop the overarching PPAU policies & platform. I have experience in academic research, writing, and public speaking and I'll do the best I can to build up our party and present our values & causes in different settings.I agree with the platform and stand fully behind the ideals that inform it. An essential part of the policy making process has been to prove that our values (civil liberties, open culture, transparency & a scientific approach) are universal and have application across the whole range of pressing issues we face. These values underpin every policy and I support them fully.
I've been absent from political causes for a long time, but in the mid 1990s I fooled around in student politics and was briefly a member of the ALP.- This is my second most preferred position.
Glen Takkenberg
As the current Party Agent of the party, I have needed to become familiar with our legal obligations for financial reporting to the AEC. I have also demonstrated in my time as a member of the National Council to be reliable and trustworthy, which I feel are key attributes for someone to be entrusted with the finances of the party.
I think this is a position that would give me an opportunity to continue to help advance the pirate movement to the best of my ability.
I have been a member of the National Council as Party Agent for the past year, I was a candidate for Pirate Party ACT in the 2012 Legislative Assembly election and I have also been the Secretary of Pirate Party ACT for the last year. I have done TV, radio and print interviews for the party during the ACT election campaign. In the short term, I want to use my experience as a candidate to assist the upcoming federal election campaign, and longer term I want to make sure that our state branches are setup and prepared for the next round of state elections.
No other political parties have had a platform that I so fully support, or had ideals that captured my attention, so I have never been a part of any other political party or movement.
None
Party Agent (if amended: Registered Officer)
Brendan Molloy
I have been the Secretary of the Party for the last 3 years, a member since shortly after founding in 2008, and am currently the lead senate candidate on the NSW ballot. I have represented the Party at several relevant events, such as the Australian Internet Governance Forum (auIGF) and Australian Digital Alliance (ADA) forum. Just recently I flew to Western Australia to speak at a forum about our policies and recruit members so we can be a strong party in every state.
Also, as a strong advocate against the provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, I have attended all of the public briefings, and will be meeting with DFAT a few days before Congress to discuss how they can be actually transparent regarding this treaty, and other treaties in the future. Prior to this, I worked heavily against ACTA, and assisted on multiple of the Party's submissions to the ALRC and Senate.
In the role of Secretary I have done a lot of the administration of the Party over the last three years, and I would love the opportunity to take an even more public facing role, with less busy work.
I would be able to focus on advocating the Party's policies and values, and less time managing Party affairs, and building up the Party's network of supporters and advocates in the process.
- Member since 2008
- Secretary for last 3 years
- Campaigns assistance, such as:
- #natsecinquiry Petition
- Protect Our Privacy #prismbreak protest website
- Several freedom of information requests targeting censorship and free trade agreement information
- Party services and architecture, such as:
- Managing our IRC services
- Managing, coding and ensuring the security of the membership database
- Preparing the election software used for the Policy and Preselection Meeting and this coming Congress
- Public representations on behalf of the party, such as:
- Australian Digital Alliance copyright forums
- auIGF - Australian Internet Governance Forum (last year)
- Meetings with DFAT on ACTA and TPP
- Flying to Perth to participate in GetUp forum last month (#thanksgetup)
- Working with the Programming Working Group on our deliberative liquid democracy project Polly
That's a list of what I can think of off the top of my head what I've contributed to the movement in recent times. I will continue to actively advocate our policies and work with other groups to ensure our voice is heard in the public arena.
The Pirate Party is the only movement I have ever been a part of, and I cherish the fact that I am lucky enough to be in a position that I can guide the development of such a down to earth movement. With a focus on truely evidence-based policy development, I can trust that our policies are build on a bedrock of research, and am more comfortable advocating even the most difficult policies due to this.
My pet policy area would be information freedom: government transparency, censorship and data retention. Dismantling this culture of ceding to authority without justification is one of the most difficult issues of our time, and I look forward to fighting it along side all of you.
Mark Gibbons
I have been the Policy Development Officer for PPAU since the position was created 6 months ago. In the time our party has built up a full set of policies and a detailed platform for the election. My role in that process has provided me with a very detailed understanding of all our policies - not just the 'front end' material but the research that underpins it, the alternative approaches that could have been taken, and reasons behind many of the choices that were made. I think it may help PPAU to have someone on the NC who has this degree of familiarity with the platform.
I'm a resident of Canberra and quite familiar with the Electoral Commission and its processes, which should be an asset in this role.I have served in the ACT branch as deputy president, and was a candidate for PPAU in the ACT elections. In that role I fronted community gatherings, gave radio and newspaper interviews, represented the party in forums, and acted as policy developer for the ACT branch. I wrote a speech or two on pirate issues during the campaign as well.
As already noted, I've also worked to develop the overarching PPAU policies & platform. I have experience in academic research, writing, and public speaking and I'll do the best I can to build up our party and present our values & causes in different settings.I agree with the platform and stand fully behind the ideals that inform it. An essential part of the policy making process has been to prove that our values (civil liberties, open culture, transparency & a scientific approach) are universal and have application across the whole range of pressing issues we face. These values underpin every policy and I support them fully.
I've been absent from political causes for a long time, but in the mid 1990s I fooled around in student politics and was briefly a member of the ALP.- This is my most preferred position.
Glen Takkenberg
As the current Party Agent of the party, I have performed both the role of Party Agent and Registered Officer, so would be experienced with the requirements of the position if it was amended or not.
I think this is a position that would give me an opportunity to continue to help advance the pirate movement to the best of my ability.
I have been a member of the National Council as Party Agent for the past year, I was a candidate for Pirate Party ACT in the 2012 Legislative Assembly election and I have also been the Secretary of Pirate Party ACT for the last year. I have done TV, radio and print interviews for the party during the ACT election campaign. In the short term, I want to use my experience as a candidate to assist the upcoming federal election campaign, and longer term I want to make sure that our state branches are setup and prepared for the next round of state elections.
No other political parties have had a platform that I so fully support, or had ideals that captured my attention, so I have never been a part of any other political party or movement.
None
Councillor (if amended)
Brendan Molloy
I have been the Secretary of the Party for the last 3 years, a member since shortly after founding in 2008, and am currently the lead senate candidate on the NSW ballot. I have represented the Party at several relevant events, such as the Australian Internet Governance Forum (auIGF) and Australian Digital Alliance (ADA) forum. Just recently I flew to Western Australia to speak at a forum about our policies and recruit members so we can be a strong party in every state.
Also, as a strong advocate against the provisions of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, I have attended all of the public briefings, and will be meeting with DFAT a few days before Congress to discuss how they can be actually transparent regarding this treaty, and other treaties in the future. Prior to this, I worked heavily against ACTA, and assisted on multiple of the Party's submissions to the ALRC and Senate.
In the role of Secretary I have done a lot of the administration of the Party over the last three years, and I would love the opportunity to take an even more public facing role, with less busy work.
I would be able to focus on advocating the Party's policies and values, and less time managing Party affairs, and building up the Party's network of supporters and advocates in the process.
- Member since 2008
- Secretary for last 3 years
- Campaigns assistance, such as:
- #natsecinquiry Petition
- Protect Our Privacy #prismbreak protest website
- Several freedom of information requests targeting censorship and free trade agreement information
- Party services and architecture, such as:
- Managing our IRC services
- Managing, coding and ensuring the security of the membership database
- Preparing the election software used for the Policy and Preselection Meeting and this coming Congress
- Public representations on behalf of the party, such as:
- Australian Digital Alliance copyright forums
- auIGF - Australian Internet Governance Forum (last year)
- Meetings with DFAT on ACTA and TPP
- Flying to Perth to participate in GetUp forum last month (#thanksgetup)
- Working with the Programming Working Group on our deliberative liquid democracy project Polly
That's a list of what I can think of off the top of my head what I've contributed to the movement in recent times. I will continue to actively advocate our policies and work with other groups to ensure our voice is heard in the public arena.
The Pirate Party is the only movement I have ever been a part of, and I cherish the fact that I am lucky enough to be in a position that I can guide the development of such a down to earth movement. With a focus on truely evidence-based policy development, I can trust that our policies are build on a bedrock of research, and am more comfortable advocating even the most difficult policies due to this.
My pet policy area would be information freedom: government transparency, censorship and data retention. Dismantling this culture of ceding to authority without justification is one of the most difficult issues of our time, and I look forward to fighting it along side all of you.
Mozart Olbrycht-Palmer
My contributions so far have included:
- Press Officer — nearly two years.
- Deputy Secretary — 12 months.
- Significant contributions to submissions for reviews and inquiries.
- Member of the Pirate Parties International Court of Arbitration (2012).
- Worked with several other Pirate Parties around the world.
- This is my most preferred position.
- Blog
David Crafti
Currently, I am on the Policy Development Committee, where my areas of interest have been on transparent governance (whistleblowers and FOI), constitutionally enshrining a Bill of Rights and civil liberties. Prior to that, I was on the dispute resolution committee, and as an active member of the Victorian crew, I've spoken at rallies on behalf of the party. I was also the first President of the party, back in 2009, and I worked on establishing a presence in the media, as well as working on press releases, and helped lay down some of the party's foundations as a formal entity.
By the end of this year, I should be completed with my Master of Laws degree, which I have spent 4 years completing, not to practice, but to establish a credible position from which to advocate for Pirate ideals.- President - 2009-2010
- Helping lay the foundations of the party's structure
- Working with the media to get our story and positions out
- Working on press releases
- Organising and speaking at an anti-censorship rally - My speech: http://www.craftiscranium.com/2010/03/anti-censorship-rally-follow-up.html
- Dispute Resolutions Committee - 2010-2012
- It was nice and peaceful, so no disputes to resolve
- Policy Development Committee - 2013
- Worked on many of the policies to be voted on at the congress
- Member - 2009-2013
- Spoke twice at pro-Wikileaks protests - My speech: http://www.craftiscranium.com/2012/06/supporting-julian-assange-melbourne.html
- I am helping to organise the Victorian Protect our Privacy rally coming up in July
Simon Frew
I have served Pirate Party Australia to the best of my ability since I first joined. I have extensive experience on the full range of issues that we hold dear (see below for specific examples). I am a good public speaker, competent and experienced at debating issues and fielding questions from journalists. I have been involved in politics for the last seventeen years and have a wealth of experience to bring to the position.
I feel that I am a strong advocate for Pirate politics and have a lot of experience in handing the many facets of running and representing the Party. I have served diligently as Deputy President for the last two years and am happy to serve the Party in any role I can.
We have an important role to play in Australian politics. We have already had some influence, but this needs to grow in the face of mass surveillance, secret treaties like the TPPA and out of touch politicians. I think that by encouraging broader participation from our members, whilst encouraging our growth in numbers we have a promising future and a greater impact on Australian politics.
I have been a member of the Pirate Party since our first AFK meet up, having served on the National Council for the last three years, first being co-Secretary and Deputy President the last two years. I am currently also the NSW State Coordinator and the Campaign Director for the upcoming Federal Election.
I have represented Pirate Party Australia on a variety of platforms, speaking at protests in support of Wikileaks (see attached video below), debated the copyright lobby at the Sydney Film Festival and was the delegate to the 2013 Pirate Party International General Assembly (farcical as it was). I have been a tireless campaigner against the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, authoring our contribution for the Melbourne round, attending many consultations including the up-coming consultation a couple of days before congress. I have helped work on a number of submissions to government inquiries including the National Security and Copyright Inquiries. Most recently I called for and helped organise protests against the NSA and blanket surveillance after the PRISM spying scandal broke.
My passion for politics pre-dates the Pirate Party and consequently I have quite a varied political history which is briefly sketched out below.
- 1996 to 1998 member of Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance. (Were too authoritarian)
- Campaigned against racism and Pauline Hanson's One Nation party.
- Started working with the libertarian socialist and Anarchist movements (much the same thing)
- Campaigned for equitable treatment for refugees
- Worked on local environmental issues
- Involved in student politics until 2007 including two years on Wollongong University Student Association Council
- Wrote regularly for the Tertangala (Wollongong University student paper) in that time
- Became increasingly interested in the free software movement, Creative Commons and social media
- As a musician I have made all of my music available under Creative Commons licence
- Will be happy to serve on the council in any capacity if not elected to an office bearer position
- Wikileaks Speech
David Campbell
- None.
Joseph Miles
The addictive nature of active membership can't be understated. I don't want to just sit back and enjoy the work of other members – I want to continue to help get the work done to further Pirate ideals.
Like the free software movement, Pirates have shown the value of motivated, talented people engaging in collaborative work. I'd like to play a strong supporting role for the many talented members to keep this amazing work going.- Policy Development Committee
- Election Committee
- Senate Candidate for Victoria
This is what I plan to do over the next year, whether elected or not;
- Maintain a relevant, persistent Pirate voice in publications and public debate on our core ideals
- Foster collaborative work
- Grow and consolidate on relationships developed with other groups
- None
Melanie Thomas
I'm currently QLD senate candidate and member of the Policy Development Committee, as well as being active on the Election Committee and the recently formed Protest for Privacy committee. I'm also a strong member of the Queensland branch, with secondary responsibility to run meetings in the absence of the Coordinator. These positions are seeing me forge strong connections within the community that hold similar views to the Pirate Party, such as the QLD Greens. This enables me to actively collaborate and assist with the building of a movement that can help us move closer to many of our primary goals.
As a senate candidate, I have a strong knowledge of the party policies and the ability to break these down for general public consumption. I believe I possess the qualities necessary for the President position, that being leadership ability, a mind for strategy, the energy to manage multiple priorities and the passion for the party to guide us ahead as we grow into a viable force for change.- Policy Development Committee - have chaired multiple working groups
- Qld Senate candidate - assisted in the strategy for the 2013 election
I agreed with the party platform so strongly, I felt compelled to join the Pirates. I have never been a member of another political party. As a member of the policy development committee, I have assisted in the development and writing of many of our policies, and in particular, have assisted in the introduction of policy outside of our initial core tenets. I agree 100% with all of our policies and stand completely dedicated to them as senate candidate.
As primarily a civil libertarian, I do have a particular affinity with the policies developed around civil liberties preservation, privacy, digital liberties, and freedom of information. Now has never been such an important time in history to be an active member of the Pirate Party.- None
Bryn Busai
- Handle:Mandrke
- Resume:File:CV-Bryn Busai.pdf
State/Territory Coordinator
Australian Capital Territory
Glen Takkenberg
I have been representing the ACT branch in the federal party for the past year in my capacity of Secretary of the ACT Branch
I think this is a position that would give me an opportunity to continue to help advance the pirate movement to the best of my ability.
I have been a member of the National Council as Party Agent for the past year, I was a candidate for Pirate Party ACT in the 2012 Legislative Assembly election and I have also been the Secretary of Pirate Party ACT for the last year. I have done TV, radio and print interviews for the party during the ACT election campaign. After the Federal Election is over, my objective will be to re-attempt to register the ACT Branch as a party with the ACT Electoral Commission
No other political parties have had a platform that I so fully support, or had ideals that captured my attention, so I have never been a part of any other political party or movement.
None
New South Wales
Sunny Kalsi
- This is the only position I am applying for.
Northern Territory
Queensland
Melanie Thomas
I'm currently QLD senate candidate and member of the Policy Development Committee, as well as being active on the Election Committee and the recently formed Protest for Privacy committee. I'm also a strong member of the Queensland branch, with secondary responsibility to run meetings in the absence of the Coordinator. These positions are seeing me forge strong connections within the community that hold similar views to the Pirate Party, such as the QLD Greens. This enables me to actively collaborate and assist with the building of a movement that can help us move closer to many of our primary goals.
As a senate candidate, I have a strong knowledge of the party policies and the ability to break these down for general public consumption. I believe I possess the qualities necessary for the President position, that being leadership ability, a mind for strategy, the energy to manage multiple priorities and the passion for the party to guide us ahead as we grow into a viable force for change.- Policy Development Committee - have chaired multiple working groups
- Qld Senate candidate - assisted in the strategy for the 2013 election
I agreed with the party platform so strongly, I felt compelled to join the Pirates. I have never been a member of another political party. As a member of the policy development committee, I have assisted in the development and writing of many of our policies, and in particular, have assisted in the introduction of policy outside of our initial core tenets. I agree 100% with all of our policies and stand completely dedicated to them as senate candidate.
As primarily a civil libertarian, I do have a particular affinity with the policies developed around civil liberties preservation, privacy, digital liberties, and freedom of information. Now has never been such an important time in history to be an active member of the Pirate Party.- None
South Australia
Bryn Busai
Because I'm the only member in SA who seems to be interested in getting the party to election! ;-)
I strongly believe in the principles that the Pirate Party supports and I am prepared to advocate for these principles to become part of national policy.- Handle:Mandrke
- Resume:File:CV-Bryn Busai.pdf
- If there is anyone who is interested in this position, I would step aside as I do not feel experienced enough.
Tasmania
Thomas Randle
Victoria
Ben McGinnes
- None.
Western Australia
Officers
Dispute Resolution Committee Member
(Please note that although the Constitution states there are to be three Dispute Resolution Committee members, only one position on the Committee is up for election. Dispute Resolution Committee members serve a two-year term, which is currently staggered as the result of a vacancy. Next Congress there will be two positions on the Committee up for election.)
David Crafti
Currently, I am on the Policy Development Committee, where my areas of interest have been on transparent governance (whistleblowers and FOI), constitutionally enshrining a Bill of Rights and civil liberties. Prior to that, I was on the dispute resolution committee, and as an active member of the Victorian crew, I've spoken at rallies on behalf of the party. I was also the first President of the party, back in 2009, and I worked on establishing a presence in the media, as well as working on press releases, and helped lay down some of the party's foundations as a formal entity.
By the end of this year, I should be completed with my Master of Laws degree, which I have spent 4 years completing, not to practice, but to establish a credible position from which to advocate for Pirate ideals.- President - 2009-2010
- Helping lay the foundations of the party's structure
- Working with the media to get our story and positions out
- Working on press releases
- Organising and speaking at an anti-censorship rally - My speech: http://www.craftiscranium.com/2010/03/anti-censorship-rally-follow-up.html
- Dispute Resolutions Committee - 2010-2012
- It was nice and peaceful, so no disputes to resolve
- Policy Development Committee - 2013
- Worked on many of the policies to be voted on at the congress
- Member - 2009-2013
- Spoke twice at pro-Wikileaks protests - My speech: http://www.craftiscranium.com/2012/06/supporting-julian-assange-melbourne.html
- I am helping to organise the Victorian Protect our Privacy rally coming up in July
Rodney Serkowski
- Founded the Party and contributed heavily to the first drafts of the Constitution and initial platform declarations.
- Have been on all NCs from inception, as Party Secretary, President and Treasurer.
- Written press releases, reports, organised demonstrations, organised previous congress', liased with DFAT and other government officials on behalf of the Party, attended panels/given speeches for the Party, and other misc contributions.
- Some musing can be found here: http://blog.serkowski.net
Thomas Randle
Policy Development Officer
Mozart Olbrycht-Palmer
My contributions so far have included:
- Press Officer — nearly two years.
- Deputy Secretary — 12 months.
- Significant contributions to submissions for reviews and inquiries.
- Member of the Pirate Parties International Court of Arbitration (2012).
- Worked with several other Pirate Parties around the world.
- This is my second-most preferred position.
- Blog
Mark Gibbons
I have served in the ACT branch as deputy president, and was a candidate for PPAU in the ACT elections. In that role I fronted community gatherings, gave radio and newspaper interviews, represented the party in forums, and acted as policy developer for the ACT branch. I wrote a speech or two on pirate issues during the campaign as well.
As already noted, I've also worked to develop the overarching PPAU policies & platform. I have experience in academic research, writing, and public speaking and I'll do the best I can to build up our party and present our values & causes in different settings.I agree with the platform and stand fully behind the ideals that inform it. An essential part of the policy making process has been to prove that our values (civil liberties, open culture, transparency & a scientific approach) are universal and have application across the whole range of pressing issues we face. These values underpin every policy and I support them fully.
I've been absent from political causes for a long time, but in the mid 1990s I fooled around in student politics and was briefly a member of the ALP.- This is my third most preferred position.
Nominees for preselection
Tasmania
Thomas Storey