[Linux-aus] Grant request: Contribution to Senate voting source code FOI request review.

[Euan de Kock]

It looks like there has been some very positive changes on this...

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/07/10/secret_senate_software_stoush_greens_intervene/

Regards,

Euan deKock

On 9 July 2014 8:03:42 PM AWST, Chris Neugebauer <chrisjrn at gmail.com> wrote:
>Hello all,
>
>Council adopted the following motion during its last meeting,
>contributing to Michael's fund:
>
>MOTION: To consider the GRANT REQUEST proposed by CHRISTOPHER
>NEUGEBAUER to support the efforts of MICHAEL CORDOVER to have the
>Senate voting software ‘Easycount’ released under FOI request, funded
>through crowdsourcing platform, Pozible, to a cost of $AUD 150.
>
>Council noted the strong community support for this campaign, and
>noted that this is an excellent opportunity for Linux Australia to
>seek the release of source code from government. Noted that this
>action is generally in line with our values. Council did discuss the
>distinction between open government and open source, and noted that
>the chances of the code being released under an open source license
>are remote. Council noted the relationship between this work and trade
>secrets.
>
>MOTION proposed by JOSHUA HESKETH on behalf of CHRISTOPHER NEUGEBAUER
>(abstaining as GRANT REQUESTOR)
>MOTION SECONDED by KATHY REID
>MOTION CARRIED unanimously with one abstention
>
>ACTION: CHRISTOPHER NEUGEBAUER to work with FRANCOIS MARIER to arrange
>payment
>
>
>On 23 June 2014 11:56, Chris Neugebauer <chrisjrn at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hey all,
>>
>> One of our members, Michael Cordover, has been going through the
>> Freedom of Information process to gain access to the source code used
>> by the Australian Electoral Commision to tally Senate votes in
>> Australian federal elections.
>>
>> Michael's process, including all correspondence with the AEC, has
>been
>> thoroughly documented here at [0].
>>
>> The AEC declined the FOI request, and Michael is currently seeking
>> appeal through the administrative appeals tribunal, as the free
>review
>> process was performed by the OAIC, a body being disbanded through the
>> 2014-15 federal budget process.
>>
>> The appeal requires a lodgement fee of some $850. Michael is in the
>> process of crowd funding this request [1].
>>
>> Whilst I'm not a lawyer, I've been following the process quite
>closely
>> since it started, and have been deeply bemused by the AEC's
>arguments,
>> which I personally feel are either technically flawed or absurd.
>>
>> I believe that the goal of the FOI request, and associated review, is
>> well in line with Linux Australia's values [2], in particular, that
>of
>> "Freedom", which explicitly states:
>>
>> "We value free access to, sharing of and repurposing of information,
>> in particular that information held by the public sector."
>>
>> I'd like to request that, as a showing of support, Linux Australia
>> make a small contribution, not exceeding $150 to the crowdfunding
>> campaign.
>>
>>
>> --Chris
>>
>> [0] http://easycount.mjec.net/
>> [1] http://www.pozible.com/project/183015
>> [2] http://linux.org.au/values
>>
>> --
>> --Christopher Neugebauer
>>
>> Jabber: chrisjrn at gmail.com -- IRC: chrisjrn on irc.freenode.net --
>> WWW: http://chris.neugebauer.id.au -- Twitter: @chrisjrn
>
>
>
>-- 
>--Christopher Neugebauer
>
>Jabber: chrisjrn at gmail.com -- IRC: chrisjrn on irc.freenode.net --
>WWW: http://chris.neugebauer.id.au -- Twitter: @chrisjrn
>
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