<html><head></head><body><div dir="auto">Scaremongering does nobody any favours.<br><br>Per <<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-13/digital-arrival-cards-international-travellers-australia/106907440">https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-07-13/digital-arrival-cards-international-travellers-australia/106907440</a>><br><br>- will expand to be a web form not just an app<br>- paper form option remains available <br><br>By all means keep lobbying for transparency and accessibility. But don't use scare tactics and share misleading information - or include your citations please.<br><br>Mark.</div><br><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="auto">On 18 July 2026 11:11:36 am NZST, Info via linux-aus <linux-aus@lists.linux.org.au> wrote:</div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
<pre class="com-fsck-k9__plain-text-message-pre"><div dir="auto">I agree on the need to fight for transparency.<br>Australia is about to replace entry cards with an app. On return from my next trip, I will be forced<br>to install an application. Where is the code for review?<br><br>Establishing a precedent will help fight for a public review of this new app.<br><br>Peter Moulding<br><br>On 16/7/26 22:23, Jonathan Oxer via linux-aus wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin-bottom: 1ex; --com-fsck-k9__blockquote-default-border-color: #729fcf;"><div dir="auto">I fully support this initiative by Fraser and would like to see the grant approved for the full amount.<br><br>Linux Australia is generally seen as having a primary role within the Open Source community as a facilitator of conferences and events. However, it has also undertaken other roles in the past including lobbying, such as during the period of the introduction of the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) way back in 2004/5. I believe that supporting initiatives such as Fraser's are directly in line with the values and mission of the organisation:<br><br><a href="https://linux.org.au/about-us/values/">https://linux.org.au/about-us/values/</a> <<a href="https://linux.org.au/about-us/values/">https://linux.org.au/about-us/values/</a>><br><br>It's easy to let issues like this slide. When someone is willing to step up and take a stand, we as a community should support them.<br><br>Regards,<br><br>Jonathan Oxer<br><br>On Thu, 16 Jul 2026 at 21:08, Linux Australia Website via linux-aus <linux-aus@lists.linux.org.au <<a href="mailto:linux-aus@lists.linux.org.au">mailto:linux-aus@lists.linux.org.au</a>>> wrote:<br><br> Your Email Address: frase@frase.id.au <<a href="mailto:frase@frase.id.au">mailto:frase@frase.id.au</a>><br> Project name: Support the myGov Code Generator source code FOI review<br> Grant Type: Project Grant<br> Aim of the project: I am applying for a grant of $5,000 to help cover litigation costs in a<br> Freedom of Information review at the Administrative Review Tribunal. The matter is *Tweedale and<br> CEO, Services Australia*, file 2025/4916. I applied for review of Services Australia’s access<br> refusal decision in relation to my request for access to the source code of the myGov Code<br> Generator app, a (now retired) mobile app published by Services Australia for myGov login MFA<br> (TOTP). The case involves critical questions about government transparency and software<br> security, the validity of “security by obscurity” arguments in this context, and the benefits<br> and consequences of governments granting access to the source code of applications they develop<br> and expect citizens to run on their devices.<br> Much more detail about this matter, and regular updates, are available at <a href="https://openmygov.au">https://openmygov.au</a><br> <<a href="https://openmygov.au">https://openmygov.au</a>>.<br> The outcomes of this legal proceeding and my associated efforts will include:<br> * Precedent: A binding or persuasive administrative law decision regarding the accessibility of<br> government-developed source code under Australian law, and the validity of “security by<br> obscurity” arguments for refusing access.<br> * openmygov.au: continued free, unhindered public access to all disclosable submissions,<br> evidence, expert witness reports, decisions and other documents, and a chronicle of the conduct<br> of this case—in other words, a legal toolkit for future open-source FOI litigation in Australia<br> (and possibly useful elsewhere)<br> I am happy to answer any questions or provide further information to Council and/or the Linux<br> Australia membership in support of this application.<br> ## Risks and disclosures<br> ### Impact on LA funding and government relations<br> Impact: Actively financing public-interest litigation against a major Federal Government agency<br> may have a chilling effect on future sponsorship opportunities for LA-auspiced events, or<br> otherwise introduce friction in LA’s interactions with Government.<br> Mitigation: Contributing to the costs of this litigation does not enjoin LA as a party or<br> subject LA to any risks of further direct costs. Also, the matter and the purpose of the review<br> is aligned with Linux Australia’s values and purpose and is being pursued in the public<br> interest; it is unlikely to be perceived as frivilous or vexatious.<br> ### The Tribunal decides against transparency<br> Impact: Should the Tribunal agree with the Respondent’s “security by obscurity” arguments and<br> refuses access, it sets an unfortunate precedent.<br> Mitigation: This is barely worse than the status quo, where agencies refuse access for these<br> reasons anyway, but those decisions are not challenged. Grounds for appeal (judicial review) in<br> Federal Court will be considered, although costs would be in another order of magnitude and may<br> be prohibitive. Win or lose, the community will have an extensive and durable record of and<br> playbook for FOI litigation involving open source and cybersecurity matters.<br> ### Disclosure of EO2027 treasurer role<br> I am a core organising team member and the appointed Treasurer for the Everything Open 2027<br> conference, which is an official subcommittee of Linux Australia. I have no influence over grant<br> funding decisions, and conference money is managed in complete separate accounts.<br> Estimated cost breakdown of the project: Through a successful Pozible crowdfunding campaign<br> early in 2026, and an ongoing Chuffed campaign, I raised approximately $20,000 to help with the<br> costs of this litigation. Though I always expected costs to exceed this amount, procedural<br> battles over Services Australia’s national security claims and applications for confidentiality<br> orders over critical evidence have depleted these funds sooner than expected. We are now in an<br> intense phase, finalising the evidence and submissions. The substantive hearing is listed for 3<br> days from 2–4 September in Melbourne.<br> Cumulative costs by the end of this proceeding will certainly exceed $30,000, and could end up<br> in the range of $40,000–$50,000. The shortfall between funds raised (so far) through<br> crowdfunding campaigns and the eventual costs is therefore at least $10,000 and possibly much<br> more. In addition to Wise Law’s fees (the biggest expense by far), my costs include travel to<br> and accommodation in Melbourne for the hearing, and for a one-day strategy meeting back in<br> February. (Wise Law and both expert witnesses are based in Melbourne.)<br> I am applying for a **$5,000** grant to help close this gap. I would gratefully accept any<br> lesser amount the Linux Australia Council deems appropriate, as I recognise that the requested<br> amount is a significant proportion of the 2026 grants program budget, and I do not want to<br> disadvantage or preclude other worthwhile grant opportunities.<br> Project team details: I (Fraser) am a free software developer and active member of the<br> Australian open source community. Most of my work over the last decade has been on open source<br> PKI, authentication and identity management solutions, and supply chain security. I will give<br> evidence in this proceeding on open source public policy and law in Australia and around the<br> world, and on cybersecurity matters.<br> I have engaged two expert witnesses to assist the Tribunal, both known to the LA membership and<br> Australian open source community: cryptographer and electoral security researcher Dr Vanessa<br> Teague; and Dr Peter Serwylo for his Android expertise and involvement in the F-Droid project.<br> Vanessa and Peter are providing their services free of charge.<br> My legal representative in this proceeding is Jason Bosland of Wise Law, a boutique cyber law<br> firm based in Melbourne. Jason is an expert in administrative law, and he has a good grasp on<br> the technical aspects of the case. Wise Law are generously providing their services at a 50%<br> discount, in recognition of the public interest nature of this case. Jason has also employed a<br> paralegal to help with preparation of my case; this will reduce costs because the volume of<br> evidence and submissions is significant.<br> First Name: Fraser<br> Last Name: Tweedale<br> Email Address: frase@frase.id.au <<a href="mailto:frase@frase.id.au">mailto:frase@frase.id.au</a>><br> A statement including a willingness to provide regular project updates on the project: I publish<br> detailed information and updates about this case at <a href="https://openmygov.au/">https://openmygov.au/</a> <<a href="https://openmygov.au/">https://openmygov.au/</a><br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin-bottom: 1ex; --com-fsck-k9__blockquote-default-border-color: #ad7fa8;"><div dir="auto">. All information I can publish, I do, including submissions, evidence, and Tribunal decisions<br></div></blockquote><div dir="auto"> and orders. It will form a significant and valuable artifact for Freedom of Information<br> applicants or litigants, and people interested in the intersection of free/open source software,<br> public policy, and administrative law.<br> I am committed to absolute transparency with respect to all funds received (from all sources)<br> and all expenditure, including publication of invoices and bank statements (I have a dedicated<br> bank account for this purpose).<hr> linux-aus mailing list<br> linux-aus@lists.linux.org.au <<a href="mailto:linux-aus@lists.linux.org.au">mailto:linux-aus@lists.linux.org.au</a>><br> <a href="https://lists.linux.org.au/mailman/listinfo/linux-aus">https://lists.linux.org.au/mailman/listinfo/linux-aus</a> <<a href="https://lists.linux.org.au/mailman/">https://lists.linux.org.au/mailman/</a><br> listinfo/linux-aus><br><br> To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to<br> linux-aus-unsubscribe@lists.linux.org.au <<a href="mailto:linux-aus-unsubscribe@lists.linux.org.au">mailto:linux-aus-unsubscribe@lists.linux.org.au</a>><hr>linux-aus mailing list<br>linux-aus@lists.linux.org.au<br><a href="https://lists.linux.org.au/mailman/listinfo/linux-aus">https://lists.linux.org.au/mailman/listinfo/linux-aus</a><br><br>To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to<br>linux-aus-unsubscribe@lists.linux.org.au<br></div></blockquote><div dir="auto"><hr>linux-aus mailing list<br>linux-aus@lists.linux.org.au<br><a href="https://lists.linux.org.au/mailman/listinfo/linux-aus">https://lists.linux.org.au/mailman/listinfo/linux-aus</a><br><br>To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to<br>linux-aus-unsubscribe@lists.linux.org.au<br></div></pre></blockquote></div><div dir="auto"><div class='k9mail-signature'>-- <br>Sent from a mobile device.</div></div></body></html>