Re: Grant Application from Fraser Tweedale for Support the myGov Code Generator source code FOI review

Marcus Herstik via linux-aus <[email protected]> Tue, 21 Jul 2026 09:58:26 +0000
Newsgroups gmane.linux.australia
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Maybe because it was positing a ridiculous statement basically as a joke.
For some reason it seems to have been accepted as a good idea and some even=
 want to encourage it.

The only people that win these cases is typically the lawyers.

Regards
Marcus

________________________________
From: linux-aus <linux-aus-bounces-cunTk1MwBs8iFSDQTTA3OBCuuivNXqWP@public.gmane.org> on behalf of Paul Wa=
yper via linux-aus <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2026 9:36 am
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [Linux-aus] Grant Application from Fraser Tweedale for Support=
 the myGov Code Generator source code FOI review

On 18/7/26 15:40, Marcus Herstik via linux-aus wrote:
Support can come in many ways - not just financial.
This leads to the obvious question - why don't we start litigating these ki=
nd of things as an organisation ?

I'm finding this position puzzling, Marcus, in relation to your comment:


I'm sorry but that's a no from me.
We are not here to fund litigation.
While we may receive the benefit of the result of that litigation it was no=
t started by us nor is LA a party to this.

The problem I see with any idea that Linux Australia would 'start litigatin=
g these kinds of [legal battles]' is in choosing what, and how, and in gett=
ing legal advice.  We'd have to get community feedback on which issues LA c=
hose to tackle, and then maybe ask the community again when things got stym=
ied (as they inevitably do when fighting legal battles with large governmen=
t departments).  And then the LA council would have to put their names to c=
ourt filings and proceedings.  Linux Australia retains no lawyers.

It's much better, IMO, for individual members to do what Fraser has done he=
re (take on the fight because of a personal commitment) and then ask for Li=
nux Australia's assistance.  Fraser has openly asked for community funding =
for his legal proceedings as well, so this is not just a matter that Linux =
Australia is being asked to assist alone.

I am fully in support of Linux Australia giving financial assistance to Fra=
ser's work to ask for the source code of software made by a government depa=
rtment for deployment on Australian citizens' phones to be made publicly av=
ailable.

The government makes many things available under Creative Commons licenses =
(thanks to Pia Andrews for pushing for this!).

Hope this helps,

Paul

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Maybe because it was positing a ridiculous statement basically as a joke.&n=
bsp;</div>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -app=
le-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rg=
b(0, 0, 0);" class=3D"elementToProof">
For some reason it seems to have been accepted as a good idea and some even=
 want to encourage it.&nbsp;</div>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -app=
le-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rg=
b(0, 0, 0);" class=3D"elementToProof">
<br>
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le-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rg=
b(0, 0, 0);" class=3D"elementToProof">
The only people that win these cases is typically the lawyers.&nbsp;</div>
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Regards</div>
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Marcus</div>
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<div style=3D"direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><b>From:</=
b>&nbsp;linux-aus &lt;linux-aus-bounces-cunTk1MwBs8iFSDQTTA3OBCuuivNXqWP@public.gmane.org&gt; on behalf of=
 Paul Wayper via linux-aus &lt;[email protected]&gt;<br>
<b>Sent:</b>&nbsp;Monday, July 20, 2026 9:36 am<br>
<b>To:</b>&nbsp;[email protected] &lt;[email protected]=
au&gt;<br>
<b>Subject:</b>&nbsp;Re: [Linux-aus] Grant Application from Fraser Tweedale=
 for Support the myGov Code Generator source code FOI review</div>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</di=
v>
</div>
<div>On 18/7/26 15:40, Marcus Herstik via linux-aus wrote:</div>
<blockquote>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -app=
le-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rg=
b(0, 0, 0);">
Support can come in many ways - not just financial.&nbsp;</div>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -app=
le-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rg=
b(0, 0, 0);">
This leads to the obvious question - why don't we start litigating these ki=
nd of things as an organisation ?</div>
</blockquote>
<p style=3D"margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">I'm finding this position=
 puzzling, Marcus, in relation to your comment:</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;"><br>
</p>
<blockquote>
<div id=3D"ms-outlook-mobile-body-separator-line">
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -app=
le-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rg=
b(0, 0, 0);">
I'm sorry but that's a no from me.&nbsp;</div>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -app=
le-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rg=
b(0, 0, 0);">
We are not here to fund litigation.&nbsp;</div>
<div style=3D"direction: ltr; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_MSFontService, -app=
le-system, Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; color: rg=
b(0, 0, 0);">
While we may receive the benefit of the result of that litigation it was no=
t started by us nor is LA a party to this.&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p style=3D"margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">The problem I see with an=
y idea that Linux Australia would 'start litigating these kinds of [legal b=
attles]' is in choosing what, and how, and in getting legal advice.&nbsp; W=
e'd have to get community feedback on which
 issues LA chose to tackle, and then maybe ask the community again when thi=
ngs got stymied (as they inevitably do when fighting legal battles with lar=
ge government departments).&nbsp; And then the LA council would have to put=
 their names to court filings and proceedings.&nbsp;
 Linux Australia retains no lawyers.</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">It's much better, IMO, fo=
r individual members to do what Fraser has done here (take on the fight bec=
ause of a personal commitment) and then ask for Linux Australia's assistanc=
e.&nbsp; Fraser has openly asked for community
 funding for his legal proceedings as well, so this is not just a matter th=
at Linux Australia is being asked to assist alone.</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">I am fully in support of =
Linux Australia giving financial assistance to Fraser's work to ask for the=
 source code of software made by a government department for deployment on =
Australian citizens' phones to be
 made publicly available.</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">The government makes many=
 things available under Creative Commons licenses (thanks to Pia Andrews fo=
r pushing for this!).</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">Hope this helps,</p>
<p style=3D"margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em;">Paul</p>
</div>
</div>
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