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

[Chris Neugebauer]

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