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

[James Polley]

If you check the list of supporters in the kickstarted campaign, you'll see that one support is Scott Ludlam, a Greens senator.

I don't know what $$$ amount he contributed towards the cost of the FOI campaign, but I think it's clear that the campaign has rusted in grabbing public attention, in ways that are probably more valuable than any amount of money the campaign could raise.



> On 10 Jul 2014, at 20:09, Euan de Kock <euan at dekock.net> wrote:
> 
> 
> 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
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