Next meeting of Free Software Melbourne When: Thursday, 18 April 2019, 6.30-8.00pm (doors open at 6pm) Where: Electron Workshop, 31 Arden Street, North Melbourne (See below for how to get there.) What: Work together on Assistance and Access Act As you are probably aware, what is commonly called the Assistance and Access Act was rushed through Federal Parliament just before Christmas last year. The Opposition went along with it, but on the condition that the act be reviewed. That review is now happening, so we have a second chance to advocate for the repeal of this act, or at least for amendments to ameliorate its worst effects. This act has given the Government unprecedented powers to break encryption, with too little accountability. In addition to the obvious threat to the legitimate privacy of ordinary citizens, the act is inflicting collateral damage on the Australian tech industry, as Australian companies and Australian employees are perceived globally as untrustworthy, being too easily subject to secret government orders to break encryption of customers and employers. So, please come along to our next FSM meeting, find out what you can do about this act, and as you can help us with our campaign. As well as making a submission to the review, it could involve contacting politicians, and coordinating with like-minded groups. Your ideas welcome. Have your say! And there'll be lots of delicious Gnews, as gnusual. This is a non-technical event and all are welcome. Afterwards we will have our customary dinner in North Melbourne, and we can continue any discussion that will have arisen. Thanks to the good people of Electron Workshop for providing us our meeting venue. Electron Workshop have a map: https://www.electronworkshop.com.au/map/ They suggest the #57 tram. Get off at the Errol Street / Queensberry Street intersection, walk down the hill along Errol Street, and turn right into Arden Street. The #402 bus and the #58 and #59 trams also pass reasonably close. See you there! — Les Kitchen, on behalf of the FSM committee.