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December 2025

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ART FOI review - myGov Code Generator app source code
by Fraser Tweedale 09 Dec '25

09 Dec '25

{{ To anyone who already saw it on the Linux Australia lists, sorry for the noise. }} Dear freedom lovers. The EasyCount FOI saga was 10 years ago. Isn't about time someone tried to pry secret source code out of the government again? It is time, that someone is me, and the *myGov Code Generator* app is the target. I requested the code in 2021 (!). Services Australia refused access, as is customary, and affirmed that decision upon internal review, as is customary. I took it to the OAIC. Four years (!) later it finally bubbled up to the top of the pile, only for the OAIC to decide it was beyond their ken to decide the matter and I should take it up at the Administrative Review Tribunal. So here we are. It's on. It's gonna be expensive. There's a crowdfunding campaign if you would like to contribute to this cause, and are able: https://www.pozible.com/project/mygov-app-source-code-foi-review-1/ A lot more detail about the matter is on the campaign page, so please go have a read even if you don't intend to pledge. But I will mention here a few important things: - This is a very different case from EasyCount (Cordover and AEC). Different exemptions claimed, different arguments, different context. Cordover turned on trade secrets and commercial value. My case is primarily about cybersecurity and "security by obscurity". - I have retained the services of Wise Law, a boutique cyber law firm with administrative law expertise too. - Dr Vanessa Teague, cryptography expert and a name many of you will know, has agreed to assist the Tribunal as an expert witness. We are also lining up another witness who is an expert in Android development and app distribution. Thank you for reading, and please spread it far and wide! Cheers, Fraser

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