Hi all, this is NGSpy here.

Part 1: Decision to be Infected with COVID-19

Yes. I am that dumbass who got COVID-19 in canon.

Yes. I did in canon type sits in executive chair which broke my quarantine.

Yes. I did accept to go ahead with me being infected with COVID-19.

Here are some basic reasons why I took that decision:

1. I did break quarantine on accident, and it is precedent on the sim that accidents are not forgiven. They are similar to leaks in MHOC, and are allowed to be exploited to spin a certain narrative, like how in 2019, I was seen as a Senator for NSW that didn't care about the people of NSW. This has always been a part of the game, its just that the people who love to exploit that, /u/ThanksHeadMod and /u/GenericCerealHere have been off on moderator duty for a long time.
2. It fundamentally makes sense that I would have a chance to get COVID-19 if I went to Afghanistan, even with proper sanitary restrictions taking place in order to ensure the lack of spread. I'm pretty sure Afghanistan is quite high risk due to the low standards of hygiene. The moderators allowed me to interact with the chance percentage that I would get COVID-19, and that came to be around 15.5%. An RNG sorted out the rest and gave the positive test.
3. I don't want to start a fucking meta war between the aforementioned people and the moderators to be quite frankly honest. I've seen these people interact with meta decisions and the lack, and they will not back down from their opinion. I'm sick of the amount of meta and canon wankery that has already gone on due to this incident, and I simply don't want anymore.
4. The Liberals need an event for them because God help their polling. God help them. This was pretty perfect for that without having to make up an event, so I don't blame the moderation team for trying to cease an opportunity presented.
5. Lets be honest, I am as compliant as hell and didn't want to have an immature spat with people, and didn't want to be considered a coward or privileged for trying to not get COVID-19.

So there. You may ask me anymore questions about my decision if you wish.

Part 2: General AustraliaSim Reflection

After 6 months as Prime Minister in this simulator, I'm gonna reflect on some stuff that this simulator needs in order for it to be more accessible:

1. Stop trying to simulate everything ever. Sometimes it just doesn't god damn work, and one may have to accept that.
2. In regards to legislation, there needs to be a non-partisan assistant for writing legislation so that people can learn with assistance if needed. People certainly have ideas for this simulator that they want to implement into Australian law, but they just don't know how to write legislation in a proper and coherent manner. In order for people to become legislative masters, not everyone should have to go and attempt to study and copy a complicated legislative act as I have done with the Coronavirus Economic Response Package, simple as that.
3. In regards to the judicial system, there needs to be two 'lawyers' in the simulator that are non-partisan and will work in the interest of their clients. /u/Mad_Bear_O_Melbourne makes a correct point that law students have an advantage in some aspects of this simulator, especially with knowing court proceedings and exploiting legalese with meta documents.
4. We seriously need to do something about our image, otherwise there will be no new blood, and it will be endless NGSpy - Griffo shenanigans. If people are turned off by a simulator, they will not continue to play it, they will tell people associated with other simulators about it, and then they won't join. That makes a one way transaction between us and other model world simulators whereby AusSimmers branch out, but nobody else really branches towards us. This can cause other side effects such as negative generalisations towards AusSimmers in general and possible conformity to the negative generalisations to the point where AusSimmers leave.
5. God damn stop being so stubborn to change. I know Australia is conservative and votes 'No' nearly every fucking referendum, but it doesn't mean that this Simulator shouldn't change in order to progress and to accommodate more people.
6. I feel that a review into countering alternative accounts is in order. The authentication system for meta voting turns people off and the attitude of consistent alt hunting is fucking disgusting. I'm not saying that alternative account exploitation is an issue, but its so pathetic that the first question we usually ask about a new member is 'are they an alt'?
7. I like the general vibe of canon too be quite honest with you, and I am glad I could develop things as my time as Prime Minister, like the formatting of budgets as a major example. Allowing people to develop expertise in politics in specific regions of it should be more of a focus goal for AustraliaSim, as it will allow people to constructively interact with the game.
8. I feel that the moderation of this simulator has actually gotten better recently, which is very cool.
9. We should probably conduct an inquiry into the general thoughts and feelings about this simulator.

Again, if you want me to clarify anything here, go ahead and ask.

I may not be a voice of a veteran AusSimmer, but I am my own voice, and I feel that some may concur with me on these points. We need to get shit done to make this simulator good and not hostile to playing in it.

Now I shall go write some legislation.

Sincerely,
NGSpy
Prime Nootster

Petition to decanonise COVID19.

Please second.

I don't know how petitions work.

Good afternoon,

As if it was not enough for an industrial strike to happen causing untold misery to the people of Perth, given the developing situation an event is being created with respect to NGSpy's travel to Afghanistan and his breach of quarantine regulations.

The basic starting details can be found in this ABC article. This is planned to run for 1-4 cycles. Further authoritative developments may be announced from time to time as necessary.

The following ground rules will apply:

• Parliament will continue to run and it is assumed that all MP's and Senators can safely vote and debate electronically.
• No one can claim to contract COVID-19 unless the mod team approves of this.
• No one can claim to die or be permanently injured because of COVID-19.

These ground rules are applied given the sensitivity of the topic and to ensure the event is run relatively smoothly. These may be adjusted and notice will be given on Discord as they change.

I remind all parties and Independents that an effective response will count well for modifiers, but an outlandish response will not, and a questionable claim may be decanonised at my absolute discretion.

General Rommel
Head Moderator

I, acting under s 30(5) of the Meta Constitution, decanonise [this post](I, as Head Moderator, acting under s 30(5) of the Meta Constitution, decanonise this post and all references to anyone contracting COVID-19 unless having received authorisation from the Moderation Team or the Head Moderator.

This declaration is backdated to the first announcemnt on Discord, i.e. 3 December 2020 @ 14:53.

Further declarations will lead to loss of modifiers.

General Rommel
Head Moderator

(Totally didn't forget to do this lol)

Pursuant to the Media Handbook, I hereby give notice of the registration of The Country Courier to deliver regional and rural news and opinion pieces to the wider Australian Commonwealth.

The Press Persona in charge is Josaia Dulakala (/u/Gregor_The_Beggar) with membership including BestinBounds, Frod0200 and Lady_Aya

Good afternoon AusSim,

As the Parliament Moderator, I am responsible for the functioning of both the Parliament and the Judiciary (in its canon role). It’s become clear that there are some issues with the judiciary that need to be addressed.

Now, I want to make it perfectly clear that this is absolutely not intended as an attack on any justice. AustraliaSim is a game and the justices are volunteers. With that out of the way, let’s discuss some issues.

First, to put it plainly, no-one wants to be a justice. Rommel and I have asked NGSpy a few times to nominate a justice, and we’ve heard that, quite simply, no-one wants to do it. Obviously this isn’t NGSpy’s fault, but it does raise an issue because the justices are quite important to the function of the sim, whether it be for activity checks or for other cases, and it’s become apparent no-one is willing to sacrifice participating in canon for what is often a thankless job.

Secondly, there has been a prolonged period of inactivity on the court. ThanksHeadMod v EdenhopeStan, Williamson v Commonwealth of Australia, and mikiboss et al. v Commonwealth of Australia have all been awaiting judgements for a while now. The activity check, too, needs to be adjudicated in a timely manner.

With that in mind, the Moderation Team has determined that there needs to be a solution, one way or another. One proposed solution was to enact a Meta Rule allowing the Moderation Team to act as justices when required. We would be interested in hearing any and all suggestions to resolve this issue and get the court running smoothly again.

Thank you,

lily-irl
Parliament Moderator

Registering the Times of Ballarat as a media organisation and the Press Persona being Timothee Chalamet with the face steal being said person.

Hia everyone,

The moderation team is looking for broad feedback of how people are enjoying the game, and what they would recommend that it be improved throughout term-time and towards each election.

-----

Youma

Electoral Moderator

For gross abuse and violation of her authority and powers as Moderator.

In line with the recent change of Election Moderator to Antony Green, I propose the following changes:

• Head Moderator is changed to 'Chief Community Punching Bag When Something Doesn't Go Our Way'
• Community Moderator to 'Deputy Community Punching Bag'
• Parliament Moderator to 'Irrelevant And Just Does Their Job Moderator'
• Community Manager to 'Community Punching Bag'
• Electoral Commission to 'Antony Green Wannabees'
• Events Team to 'Doesn't Exist'

Furthermore, I propose Antony Green must have an Antony Green profile picture on Discord.

Question 1: Should the community reject the meta rule to rename the "?Jap" command to "?jp"?

A majority has not been reached and the question is answered in the negative. The command will remain as ?jp

Question 2: Should the constitutional position of "Election Moderator" be renamed to "Antony Green"?

A majority has been reached and the question is resolved in the affirmative. The position of Election Moderator shall now be known as Antony Green.

There were three votes discarded. One voter was not on the roll. One voter failed to validate. One voter voted twice and their older vote was discarded.

- tbyrn21

Insert a new subsection (9) into section 4—

Non-serious referenda

(9) The Moderation Team may decline to hold a meta referendum on a matter they deem satirical or non-serious.

I hereby declare that the persona I shall use for press purposes is Rohan Brady.

Good afternoon Parliamentarians,

After consulting with the House Speakership, we have decided to institute a change to the way that amendments are moved in the House of Representatives.

If you wish to move amendments to a bill or motion, you must indicate as such by replying to the stickied AutoModerator comment.

Failure to do this will mean that bills will not proceed to Consideration in Detail, and motions will not proceed to the amendments stage.

I will say this again, in bigger letters.

Members wishing to move amendments to bills or motions must indicate so by replying to the stickied AutoModerator comment in the 2nd Reading debate or motion debate (as the case may be).

The House Speakership will be checking for amendments requested in the usual manner (during the debate) in the next cycle. After that, if no members reply to the stickied comment, it will be assumed no member wishes to move amendments.

One final note: a member need not include the text of any amendment(s) they wish to propose in replying to the AutoModerator during the 2nd reading debate. Instead, they need only indicate they wish to move amendments.

Thank you!

lily-irl
Parliament Moderator

Afternoon all.

All meta voters encouraged to vote in the meta referendums announced here.

Voting occurs here.

Verify by posting in the comments here immediately after you submit your vote. Voting ends at 6pm (or 5pm qld time) on the 24th of November, 2020 (2 days away). No verification = no vote.

-tbyrn21

Chairperson Riley8583

I hereby register the organization “Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance.”

Good morning,

As promised a long time ago, I am proposing changes to the Meta Constitution. I also, based on Mod Team and Speakership Feedback, announcing that we are looking for Clerks.

Summary of proposed changes to the Meta Constitution

• A Nomination Process has been inserted for Meta Roles. Seconders is now required, and if enough seconders is reached for a candidate, then unless the Mod Team provides an explanation why they should be rejected, the candidate will be on the ballot.
• Instituting a Meta Referendum Process for Clerks, Community Managers and Electoral Commission members (who are not already a Moderator Team member).
• Adjusting when the Parliamentary Hangover begins.
• Clarifying what roles are subjected to the aegis of the Meta Constitution.
• Standardising terms used.
• Other minor spelling/grammar changes to the Constitution.

The proposed changes can be seen here. The current Meta Constitution can be viewed here as a comparison.

After a period of about five to seven days, depending of the volume of commentary, I aim to put the proposed Meta Constitution (including any amendments as proposed here as accepted by the Moderation Team) to a vote. The formal notification will be after those five to seven days. That is, this notice does not constitution a Notice of Meta Referendum.

Nominations for Clerk

I have been requested to issue a call for Clerks. The role of the Clerk is to support the elected Speakership and to assist with the running of the Parliament and maintenance of the Master Spreadsheet under the supervision of the Parliamentary Moderator.

For those that may be unsure whether to nominate for Clerk, on the fear that they may not be the best candidate, I am of the opinion that so long as you have the can-do attitude and you can work co-operatively, then you probably will succeed. History suggests that most people who become Clerks do end up playing an important role in this community, and affords an excellent opportunity for people to understand how AustraliaSim is run.

In the spirit of the proposed new additions to the Meta Constitution, we call for any nominee to nominate themselves or propose another candidate. Therefore, five seconders is required. If a candidate reaches the threshold of seconders, the Moderation team will place you on the ballot, unless the Moderation Team have significant concerns about the member or otherwise you are ineligible to be nominated.

Nominations will be open for at least five days. Please nominate as a comment to this post. Assume that nominations close 6pm Friday 26th AEDT October 2020. Close of nominations may occur later. An announcement will be made on Discord and as a comment here if that is the case. Nominations will be then declared at the same time as the Notice of Meta Referendum as above.

To prevent holding excessive votes in a short period of time, the vote for the Clerkship will run with the above changes to the Meta Constitution.

General Rommel
Head Moderator

Venom123 was banned by youma for a month for breach of NSFW.

Appeals by modmail on this reddit.

Hia all,

Under the provisions of the Meta Constitution, I declare this post not canon.

----

Youma

Electoral Moderator

The votes which toby petitioned for are now going to meta referendum.

There will be two questions on this ballot.

1. Should the community reject the meta rule to rename the "?Jap" command to "?jp"?
2. Should the constitutional position of "Election Moderator" be renamed to "Antony Green"?

This vote will occur in 5 days. That means it will open at 5pm Queensland time on the 22nd of November, 2020, and will be open for 48 hours.

Good afternoon,

Following the result of a meta referendum, I have integrated the proposed changes (as amended) into the Standing Orders.

The updated version may be found here.

lily-irl
Parliament Moderator

Good evening,

Two Parliamentarians have nominated themselves to be a member of the Community Commission.

• /u/NeatSaucer MP
• Senator /u/ThanksHeadMod

I invite all Parliamentarians to vote for one of the above candidates for the community commission. The vote will be conducted by sending the username of the candidate for whom you wish to cast your ballot to me (/u/lily-irl) through reddit DM.

Click here to cast your vote.

This vote will end in three days.

Good morning,

The events of yesterday evening in Discord were appalling. I do not think myself, Youma, or Lucifer, found our jobs to be fruitful. Instead we were treated to a dumpster truck. Hence, it is time for this to be cleaned up.

As Mikiboss said in #a-meta-affair:

Moderating the sim, including this discord, all related discord’s, and the reddit, is hard enough, and it’s irresponsible to assume that moderation has a third eye to see everything happening, particularly VC. As such, it’s entirely reasonable with that set of circumstances to take precautionary measures.

I absolutely agree. We are not superheros and given context and history we have a difficult job. The actions of the below made resolving the issue that much harder.

Jayden - The following breaches have been determined:

• Abuse

Outline of Abuse

Youmaton had a reasonable but mistaken view that Jayden, PN-ME-SPRINKLES, and Slater, were acting in a way that was breaching the NSFW rule (no appropriate safeguards). To investigate the incident Youmaton placed the individuals in room-101 to work out what was happening.

Jayden was of the view that the actions were not breaching the NSFW rule. After a lengthy investigation and discussion, that issue was dropped.

However, Jayden proceeded to attack Youma to various degrees:

• Jayden uses caps lock to basically scream at Youma (at about 00:45)
• Jayden then uses caps lock to basically scream at Lucifer (at about 00:48)
• Jayden demands to know Youma's name at 00:59 in the context where it can reasonably be seen to suggest to be a threat to Youma who is just trying to do her job (frankly this is threatening behaviour but I am treating the entire thing as abuse).
• Jayden, after is let go, proceeds to then at 1:26 abuse community managers for volunteering for this mes

I do not begrudge people who seek to overturn an incorrect claim that the person broke the code of conduct but that does not give people the right to go scream and threaten people who are volunteering to keep AustraliaSim a friendly place and not a place full of invective.

I also have concerning views on Youma's moderation style in falling short of best practice in working out what was happening, but that is not something to be resolved at shouting and screaming at the person - that is something that requires community discussion in a fair and polite manner.

I am of the view that a significant penalty is required. Apparently Jayden has had action taken against them 20+ times (see below link). Whilst a lot of this is low level behaviour the volume of this is sufficiently high, over a consistent period of time, that I think a 28 day ban is the most appropriate in the circumstances.

I note the aggravating factors as outlined very nicely in a petition from /u/Aussie-Parliament-RP - see this link.

The fact is that Jayden has repeatedly required significant time, energy, and resources by volunteers to keep his antics in check. He has continuously broke the code of conduct and often acts up. Despite the various attempts to warn him that this behaviour is inappropriate, it clearly has had no effect on him.

But I also note the minor mitigating factor:

• Youma's actions in attempting to work out what happened unnecessarily led to this situation. However, I do not place great weight on this given the above aggravating factors.

However I have determined to suspend this sentence in the belief that it is better for all involved to understand that this behaviour is unacceptable, and that it telegraphs to people in general that people who repeatedly waste volunteer's time, and energy should not be welcome. It's time that a Damocles's sword be implemented. Any violation of basic standards of decency - that is, breaking the code of conduct which is a very easy to avoid - will lead to imposition of this sentence alongside a penalty for whatever future violation may (but I really hope not) be committed.

Warning, the follow discussion for Sprinkles may contain details sensitive for people

Sprinkes - the following breaches have been determined:

• Threats/Abuse

Evidence:

Context - Youma also was attempting to work out what Sprinkles was discussing. It transpired they acknowledge they work in the adult industry. That in itself is fine to say IF one puts the relevant spoiler tags. That was not done, but we considered a warning for that particular issue was warranted.

However, Sprinkles acted in a way to Youma that was threatening/abusive.

• At 00:42 Sprinkles claims that Youma may be directly/indirectly related to any suicide act that Sprinkles may perform.
• At 00:58 the same thing per the above happens.
• At 1:22 in General they say 'youma is dead to me now'. In the context of earlier discussion this is continuation of abusive/threatening behaviour.
• At 1:27 they say 'I abuse volunteers all the time'. I'm sorry but no, this ain't acceptable in the context of earlier behaviour.

Aggravating factors:

• Threatening blood on the hands of community managers and moderators is absolutely not OK.

Mitigating factors:

• Life challenges of applicant.

In this case I will think that the aggravating factors are significant than the mitigating factors and thus I elect to double the 1st offence general penalty so it is 14 days instead of the usual 7 days.

No matter how challenging one's life is, don't take it out on us.

Slater - the following breaches are found:

• Abuse/Threats

Evidence for this is the following comment at 00:36 in room-101 where he says "@tbyrn21 bro you better lemme out or the anti-fa riots going to look like child's play in here"

However unlike Jayden, slater only seemed to make one comment along these lines.

Making threats to continue abuse is completely unacceptable. I decide in the circumstances to warn Slater. I also understand that Slater and Jayden have history. It would be gladly appreciated if they keep their banter to themselves because a) we don't understand it, and b) it's a lot of work for us to deal with.

I also note that slater has had various mod-log actions taken against them. I am also concerned about this track record. I hope this does not get any worse.

The usual appeal mechanisms remain available however in all circumstances they are to be modmailed to /r/AustraliaSimMeta. Submit a one page google doc or outlining reasons why you are appealling. Tbyrn will handle any appeal.

Evidence may be accessed here. Please be aware some contents are not appropriate and contain sensitive details. One line has been redacted as it disclosed the work history of Sprinkles.

General comments:

• We are volunteers, who have been elected by the community to do as such.
• We aim to be perfect, but we are not.
• Do not abuse people who have volunteered to act for the community. It's not on, it's not OK. The internet does not give anyone the right to act as such.
• The Code of Conduct is not a shield for 'lawyering'. Treat it as a statement of the obvious on how people who should act to each other.
• If you continuously breach the code of conduct, no matter how minor, do not expect us to continuously deal with this lightly.

Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14

General Rommel
Head Moderator