Centrelink Emails

Our ref: michael.will:CEN721/1
Your ref:
2 June 2005

Dear Sir/Madam
Offensive Comment posted by Jason Pickett 20 May 2005

We act for the Commonwealth of Australia represented by Centrelink. We have been instructed by our client to write to you about a comment posted by Mr Jason Pickett on your website and located at http://perth.indymedia.org/?action=newswire&parentview=10581.

We understand that your website aims to provide an open-publishing newswire and website to the public.

We appreciate that your website provides a forum for media makers who are members of disempowered or marginalised groups to report on news items important to them; to exercise freedom of speech; and to protect individuals' right of expression.

In order to maintain the integrity and quality of your website, we understand you have developed an Editorial Policy located at http://perth.indymedia.org/index.php?action=wiki&page=ed%20policy.

We have reviewed the Perth Indymedia Editorial Policy and wish to raise a few concerns with you arising out of the comment posted by Mr Pickett.

We note that under the heading Notifiable Removals in your Editorial Policy, posts violating the following point (among other points) are subject to notifiable removal:
* Posts which use language, imagery, or other forms of communication to promote racism, fascism, xenophobia, homophobia, sexism etc., or any other form of discrimination.

We understand Mr Pickett's comment is accompanied by two images that are fashioned in the shape of Nazi Swastikas.
The image of most concern is the Centrelink logo that has been reworked to resemble a Swastika, thereby making the suggestion that Centrelink is associated with or supports the practices and objectives of the Nazi regime.

Centrelink is a service delivery agency of the Commonwealth of Australia established under the Commonwealth Services Delivery Agency Act 1997.

Centrelink is not and never has been associated with the Nazi regime or fascist ideology; therefore, in accordance with your Editorial Policy we request that this image is removed from Mr Pickett's comment.

Further, Mr Pickett's comment also provides a link to a website located at www.centreflunk.com (Centreflunk).
Our client is concerned that by providing a link to the Centreflunk website, Mr Pickett's comment is contrary to two other points described under Notifiable Removals in your Editorial Policy, that is:

* Posts which publish identifying information without the individual's knowledge or consent.
Note: The Editorial collective may choose to delete posts which publish personal identifying information without the individual's knowledge or consent.

* Abuse of others in the form of personal attacks.

Indymedia is not a space for people to play out personal vendettas.
The Centreflunk website has published the names and contact details of a number of individuals employed by Centrelink, without the knowledge or consent of those individuals.
This identifying information is not generally available to the public. The website also contains examples of threats made by Mr Pickett against individuals employed by Centrelink.

These are personal attacks that have been made repeatedly by Mr Pickett against the individuals named by Mr Pickett on the Centreflunk website.

Therefore, we also request that the link to the Centreflunk website is removed from Mr Pickett's comment.

We understand from your Editorial Policy that you strive to make decisions in the most democratic, transparent and accountable manner.
Therefore, if you have any questions or comments or if we can assist you in any way in attending to our requests,
please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours faithfully
Michael Will
Partner
(02) 6263 6349
michael.will@sparke.com.au

Mr. M Will,

I have recently noticed that you & your Legal firm, have been telling people that not only have I refused to shut down my site (which I haven't), but you's have also been telling people that my site contains threats to Centrelink staff, this is unacceptable to me!
Could you please point out to me where abouts on my site these threats are made so that I can adjust accordingly. I have looked & looked, but all I can find are threats of legal action.
Please respond ASAP, as you are saying that Centrelink staff safety is at stake here, & if threats have been made against staff, (again) why have you guy's not notified The CPSU concerning threats to Centrelink staff, threats you say were made on my site from the 4th of May, almost 2 months???? I have been informed that they, (CPSU), haven't received anything from you.

Jason Pickett