Donna Benjamin
@kattekrab.bsky.social
Chair https://oaf.org.au
Maintainer https://openpracticelibrary.com
Co-Chair https://EverythingOpen.AU session selection committee
Senior Engagement Lead https://RedHat.com
Executive Director https://cc.com.au
Blog https://kattekrab.net
Maintainer https://openpracticelibrary.com
Co-Chair https://EverythingOpen.AU session selection committee
Senior Engagement Lead https://RedHat.com
Executive Director https://cc.com.au
Blog https://kattekrab.net
Think.
Feel.
Know.
Intuit.
Guess.
Speculate.
Imagine.
Fantasise.
Dream.
Observe.
Investigate.
Uncover.
Explore.
Question.
Contradict.
Test.
Prove.
Dissolve.
Feel.
Know.
Intuit.
Guess.
Speculate.
Imagine.
Fantasise.
Dream.
Observe.
Investigate.
Uncover.
Explore.
Question.
Contradict.
Test.
Prove.
Dissolve.
December 31, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Think.
Feel.
Know.
Intuit.
Guess.
Speculate.
Imagine.
Fantasise.
Dream.
Observe.
Investigate.
Uncover.
Explore.
Question.
Contradict.
Test.
Prove.
Dissolve.
Feel.
Know.
Intuit.
Guess.
Speculate.
Imagine.
Fantasise.
Dream.
Observe.
Investigate.
Uncover.
Explore.
Question.
Contradict.
Test.
Prove.
Dissolve.
Reposted by Donna Benjamin
This is a *free* 150 page chapbook that explores systems, system design and software architecture.
And it’s … actually *good*??? Well, at least all the parts where I weave in this systems and design community’s insights are good. 😊
And it’s … actually *good*??? Well, at least all the parts where I weave in this systems and design community’s insights are good. 😊
I also continued my self-assigned mission to bring attention to *systems* in system design. Including the various sociotechnical systems we balance (and make trade-offs, and effect consequences) across.
www.ruthmalan.com/systems/2025...
www.ruthmalan.com/systems/2025...
www.ruthmalan.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:32 PM
This is a *free* 150 page chapbook that explores systems, system design and software architecture.
And it’s … actually *good*??? Well, at least all the parts where I weave in this systems and design community’s insights are good. 😊
And it’s … actually *good*??? Well, at least all the parts where I weave in this systems and design community’s insights are good. 😊
Reposted by Donna Benjamin
Do voters just copy how-to-vote preference recommendations? Clearly not if you look at available data. Here's some Christmas reading with my latest post on HTVs and preferences based on data from the 2022 South Australian election. antonygreen.com.au/do-how-to-vo...
December 24, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Do voters just copy how-to-vote preference recommendations? Clearly not if you look at available data. Here's some Christmas reading with my latest post on HTVs and preferences based on data from the 2022 South Australian election. antonygreen.com.au/do-how-to-vo...
Reposted by Donna Benjamin
"There are no separate systems. The world is a continuum. Where to draw a boundary around a system depends on the purpose of the discussion.”
— Donella Meadows, Thinking in Systems
#AdventOfSystemSeeing Day 17: Systems and Boundaries
www.ruthmalan.com/Advent/2025/...
— Donella Meadows, Thinking in Systems
#AdventOfSystemSeeing Day 17: Systems and Boundaries
www.ruthmalan.com/Advent/2025/...
Advent(ure) in System Seeing
Pick a (socio)technical system to focus on. Write a brief description of its primary purpose (or role or identity in the ecology of systems).
www.ruthmalan.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:41 PM
"There are no separate systems. The world is a continuum. Where to draw a boundary around a system depends on the purpose of the discussion.”
— Donella Meadows, Thinking in Systems
#AdventOfSystemSeeing Day 17: Systems and Boundaries
www.ruthmalan.com/Advent/2025/...
— Donella Meadows, Thinking in Systems
#AdventOfSystemSeeing Day 17: Systems and Boundaries
www.ruthmalan.com/Advent/2025/...
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house Of Representatives, not a Member would grouse. The Hansard was printed, the records were set, In hopes that the voters would forgive and forget
You can check out all the debates in the House this year here
www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/
You can check out all the debates in the House this year here
www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/
House debates: House of Representatives and Senate debates (OpenAustralia.org)
Making parliament easy.
www.openaustralia.org.au
December 24, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house Of Representatives, not a Member would grouse. The Hansard was printed, the records were set, In hopes that the voters would forgive and forget
You can check out all the debates in the House this year here
www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/
You can check out all the debates in the House this year here
www.openaustralia.org.au/debates/
Good morning
Here’s a question for you and yours. Please boost, reflect, and reply?
How might we make our world be a better place for all of us?
What small, daily habits would improve things just a little bit?
Imagine if we all did that. Better for ourselves and for others, not at their expense?
Here’s a question for you and yours. Please boost, reflect, and reply?
How might we make our world be a better place for all of us?
What small, daily habits would improve things just a little bit?
Imagine if we all did that. Better for ourselves and for others, not at their expense?
December 23, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Good morning
Here’s a question for you and yours. Please boost, reflect, and reply?
How might we make our world be a better place for all of us?
What small, daily habits would improve things just a little bit?
Imagine if we all did that. Better for ourselves and for others, not at their expense?
Here’s a question for you and yours. Please boost, reflect, and reply?
How might we make our world be a better place for all of us?
What small, daily habits would improve things just a little bit?
Imagine if we all did that. Better for ourselves and for others, not at their expense?
Reposted by Donna Benjamin
95yo editor still calling the shots at 150yo newspaper: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-02/rural-newspaper-the-buloke-times-turns-150/105595032
95yo editor still calling the shots at 150yo newspaper
For 150 years, the Letts family has run Donald's local newspaper, and at 95, editor Robin Letts is still leading the newsroom.
www.abc.net.au
August 1, 2025 at 11:10 PM
95yo editor still calling the shots at 150yo newspaper: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-02/rural-newspaper-the-buloke-times-turns-150/105595032
Reposted by Donna Benjamin
We don’t normally ask for help, but our financial reserves are dwindling. If you value Right to Know, Planning Alerts or They Vote for You, please chip in at donate.oaf.org.au.
Donations will go to running our services, and will give certainty to our passionate, knowledgeable and dedicated team.
Donations will go to running our services, and will give certainty to our passionate, knowledgeable and dedicated team.
OpenAustralia Foundation
We need your help: Make a donation today to support the OpenAustralia Foundation
donate.oaf.org.au
December 10, 2025 at 10:00 PM
We don’t normally ask for help, but our financial reserves are dwindling. If you value Right to Know, Planning Alerts or They Vote for You, please chip in at donate.oaf.org.au.
Donations will go to running our services, and will give certainty to our passionate, knowledgeable and dedicated team.
Donations will go to running our services, and will give certainty to our passionate, knowledgeable and dedicated team.
As parliament winds up for the summer I’d like to draw your attention to the OpenAustralia Foundation.
We are a small charity with a hard working team running services to support our unique democracy.
We need your help to fund our work.
Please donate now.
donate.oaf.org.au
Please boost.
We are a small charity with a hard working team running services to support our unique democracy.
We need your help to fund our work.
Please donate now.
donate.oaf.org.au
Please boost.
OpenAustralia Foundation
We need your help: Make a donation today to support the OpenAustralia Foundation
donate.oaf.org.au
November 28, 2025 at 2:29 AM
As parliament winds up for the summer I’d like to draw your attention to the OpenAustralia Foundation.
We are a small charity with a hard working team running services to support our unique democracy.
We need your help to fund our work.
Please donate now.
donate.oaf.org.au
Please boost.
We are a small charity with a hard working team running services to support our unique democracy.
We need your help to fund our work.
Please donate now.
donate.oaf.org.au
Please boost.
Reposted by Donna Benjamin
The Govt should be introducing legislation to provide more transparency, not less.
Their proposed changes to FOI are deeply troubling, though not surprising given in the last parliament they were the 2nd most secretive in 30 years.
That needs to change.
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/907156...
Their proposed changes to FOI are deeply troubling, though not surprising given in the last parliament they were the 2nd most secretive in 30 years.
That needs to change.
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/907156...
Australia's FOI system is broken, but proposed reforms miss the mark
This proposed bill risks doubling down on the very problems it should be fixing.
www.canberratimes.com.au
September 24, 2025 at 9:16 PM
The Govt should be introducing legislation to provide more transparency, not less.
Their proposed changes to FOI are deeply troubling, though not surprising given in the last parliament they were the 2nd most secretive in 30 years.
That needs to change.
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/907156...
Their proposed changes to FOI are deeply troubling, though not surprising given in the last parliament they were the 2nd most secretive in 30 years.
That needs to change.
www.canberratimes.com.au/story/907156...
Do you care about your #RightToKnow and Freedom of Information? Do you know there's currently a bill before the Australian Parliament?
Do you have lived experience with the #FOI system?
Consider sharing your perspective?
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
@oaf.org.au @asherwolf.bsky.social
Do you have lived experience with the #FOI system?
Consider sharing your perspective?
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
@oaf.org.au @asherwolf.bsky.social
Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025
Committee: Legal and Constitutional
Affairs Legislation Committee
Date referred: 4 September 2025
Submissions close: 1 October 2025
Reporting date: 3 December 2025
On 4 September 2025, the Senate...
www.aph.gov.au
September 25, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Do you care about your #RightToKnow and Freedom of Information? Do you know there's currently a bill before the Australian Parliament?
Do you have lived experience with the #FOI system?
Consider sharing your perspective?
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
@oaf.org.au @asherwolf.bsky.social
Do you have lived experience with the #FOI system?
Consider sharing your perspective?
www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentar...
@oaf.org.au @asherwolf.bsky.social
Reposted by Donna Benjamin
👉 Is your data taking an unplanned leave?
👉 Are your cloud hosts all controlled from differing legal jurisdictions?
👉 These are questions of #dataSovereignty.
⏰ Come and share with us at #EverythingOpen Canberra 2026. #CFP 21 Sep 2025!
2026.everythingopen.au/programme/pr...
#EO2026
#conference
👉 Are your cloud hosts all controlled from differing legal jurisdictions?
👉 These are questions of #dataSovereignty.
⏰ Come and share with us at #EverythingOpen Canberra 2026. #CFP 21 Sep 2025!
2026.everythingopen.au/programme/pr...
#EO2026
#conference
September 14, 2025 at 10:31 PM
👉 Is your data taking an unplanned leave?
👉 Are your cloud hosts all controlled from differing legal jurisdictions?
👉 These are questions of #dataSovereignty.
⏰ Come and share with us at #EverythingOpen Canberra 2026. #CFP 21 Sep 2025!
2026.everythingopen.au/programme/pr...
#EO2026
#conference
👉 Are your cloud hosts all controlled from differing legal jurisdictions?
👉 These are questions of #dataSovereignty.
⏰ Come and share with us at #EverythingOpen Canberra 2026. #CFP 21 Sep 2025!
2026.everythingopen.au/programme/pr...
#EO2026
#conference
Reposted by Donna Benjamin
✨ Are you in Australia and do you like being able to see the sky at night?
The Australasian Dark Sky Alliance have submitted a petition to request parliament introduce legislation to control light pollution.
The petition is at www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/...
The Australasian Dark Sky Alliance have submitted a petition to request parliament introduce legislation to control light pollution.
The petition is at www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/...
e-petitions
e-petitions
www.aph.gov.au
September 14, 2025 at 11:20 PM
✨ Are you in Australia and do you like being able to see the sky at night?
The Australasian Dark Sky Alliance have submitted a petition to request parliament introduce legislation to control light pollution.
The petition is at www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/...
The Australasian Dark Sky Alliance have submitted a petition to request parliament introduce legislation to control light pollution.
The petition is at www.aph.gov.au/e-petitions/...
Reposted by Donna Benjamin
#FOI costs have doubled over the past decade, not because of more requests, but because the Govt’s culture of secrecy scares sole decision making. Every man, woman & dog in Govt is consulted just in case someone might object to disclosure.
#MountainsOutOfMolehills #YouPay #auspol
#MountainsOutOfMolehills #YouPay #auspol
September 14, 2025 at 11:22 PM
#FOI costs have doubled over the past decade, not because of more requests, but because the Govt’s culture of secrecy scares sole decision making. Every man, woman & dog in Govt is consulted just in case someone might object to disclosure.
#MountainsOutOfMolehills #YouPay #auspol
#MountainsOutOfMolehills #YouPay #auspol
Hello #PyConAU folk! 👋
Please take note, here's a little PSA - the call for sessions for @everythingopen.au is open until 21 Sept - and will take place in Canberra 21-23 Jan 2026
Thank you @linuxaustralia.bsky.social for auspicing awesome events for our community!
also to plz booost!? kthxbai
Please take note, here's a little PSA - the call for sessions for @everythingopen.au is open until 21 Sept - and will take place in Canberra 21-23 Jan 2026
Thank you @linuxaustralia.bsky.social for auspicing awesome events for our community!
also to plz booost!? kthxbai
September 12, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Hello #PyConAU folk! 👋
Please take note, here's a little PSA - the call for sessions for @everythingopen.au is open until 21 Sept - and will take place in Canberra 21-23 Jan 2026
Thank you @linuxaustralia.bsky.social for auspicing awesome events for our community!
also to plz booost!? kthxbai
Please take note, here's a little PSA - the call for sessions for @everythingopen.au is open until 21 Sept - and will take place in Canberra 21-23 Jan 2026
Thank you @linuxaustralia.bsky.social for auspicing awesome events for our community!
also to plz booost!? kthxbai
This podcast from the @australiainstitute.org.au about the FOI bill is excellent.
#RightToKnow
@oaf.org.au
#RightToKnow
@oaf.org.au
Earlier this week I spoke with the @australiainstitute.org.au about the ‘NO right to know’ Bill that @albomp.bsky.social’s Govt has introduced into the Federal Parliament. Have a listen to the very disturbing nature of the proposed #FOI Act changes. #auspol
No right to know?
The government’s proposed changes to freedom of information laws represent a “serious attack” on Australia’s democracy, according to former Senator Rex Patrick.
australiainstitute.org.au
September 12, 2025 at 11:12 PM
This podcast from the @australiainstitute.org.au about the FOI bill is excellent.
#RightToKnow
@oaf.org.au
#RightToKnow
@oaf.org.au
Reposted by Donna Benjamin
This is one of the benefits we promote with righttoknow.org.au.
We also proactively work with agencies to deal with problematic requests, while fiercely advocating for disclosure.
We also proactively work with agencies to deal with problematic requests, while fiercely advocating for disclosure.
Make and browse Freedom of Information (FOI) requests
righttoknow.org.au
September 9, 2025 at 9:25 AM
This is one of the benefits we promote with righttoknow.org.au.
We also proactively work with agencies to deal with problematic requests, while fiercely advocating for disclosure.
We also proactively work with agencies to deal with problematic requests, while fiercely advocating for disclosure.
Reposted by Donna Benjamin
Hey aussies. I think you should make a lot of noise about this
The FOI Amendment Bill 2025 will give government new ways to refuse FOI requests, and also introduce a fee for making the request.
👉 www.oaf.org.au/2025/09/08/2...
#RightToKnow #FOI #auspol
The FOI Amendment Bill 2025 will give government new ways to refuse FOI requests, and also introduce a fee for making the request.
👉 www.oaf.org.au/2025/09/08/2...
#RightToKnow #FOI #auspol
“Strengthening” FOI or sabotaging It? Why we oppose the FOI Amendment Bill 2025
www.oaf.org.au
September 8, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Hey aussies. I think you should make a lot of noise about this
The FOI Amendment Bill 2025 will give government new ways to refuse FOI requests, and also introduce a fee for making the request.
👉 www.oaf.org.au/2025/09/08/2...
#RightToKnow #FOI #auspol
The FOI Amendment Bill 2025 will give government new ways to refuse FOI requests, and also introduce a fee for making the request.
👉 www.oaf.org.au/2025/09/08/2...
#RightToKnow #FOI #auspol
Reposted by Donna Benjamin
The FOI Amendment Bill 2025 makes it harder to hold govt to account: bans anonymous requests, adds a “transparency tax” fee, and expands secrecy. Parliament must reject it.
👉 www.oaf.org.au/2025/09/08/2...
#RightToKnow #FOI #auspol
👉 www.oaf.org.au/2025/09/08/2...
#RightToKnow #FOI #auspol
“Strengthening” FOI or sabotaging It? Why we oppose the FOI Amendment Bill 2025
The Albanese Government has introduced the Freedom of Information Amendment Bill 2025, presented as a reform to “strengthen” the FOI framework. According to the Attorney-General’s press release, the…
www.oaf.org.au
September 8, 2025 at 6:41 AM
The FOI Amendment Bill 2025 makes it harder to hold govt to account: bans anonymous requests, adds a “transparency tax” fee, and expands secrecy. Parliament must reject it.
👉 www.oaf.org.au/2025/09/08/2...
#RightToKnow #FOI #auspol
👉 www.oaf.org.au/2025/09/08/2...
#RightToKnow #FOI #auspol
Reposted by Donna Benjamin
Nice to hear @andrewwilkiemp.bsky.social defending Freedom of Information and calling for a common sense approach that doesn't lock people out of FOI with fees on ABC Radio this morning
September 2, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Nice to hear @andrewwilkiemp.bsky.social defending Freedom of Information and calling for a common sense approach that doesn't lock people out of FOI with fees on ABC Radio this morning
Reposted by Donna Benjamin
Official trailer for SBS' soon to be released docu-drama 'The People vs. Robodebt' featuring Jenny Miller, Deanna Amato and many others.
www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/2025...
www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/2025...
August 20, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Official trailer for SBS' soon to be released docu-drama 'The People vs. Robodebt' featuring Jenny Miller, Deanna Amato and many others.
www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/2025...
www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/2025...
Unfortunately electionleaflets.org.au is down.
It does sort of still exist in the Trove Pandora archive: webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20100723...
But it's clunky.
It's not been active for many many years. So, is this something you lot care about? Or should we just allow to sunset?
It does sort of still exist in the Trove Pandora archive: webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20100723...
But it's clunky.
It's not been active for many many years. So, is this something you lot care about? Or should we just allow to sunset?
electionleaflets.org.au
August 8, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Unfortunately electionleaflets.org.au is down.
It does sort of still exist in the Trove Pandora archive: webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20100723...
But it's clunky.
It's not been active for many many years. So, is this something you lot care about? Or should we just allow to sunset?
It does sort of still exist in the Trove Pandora archive: webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20100723...
But it's clunky.
It's not been active for many many years. So, is this something you lot care about? Or should we just allow to sunset?
Huzzah!
Everything Open is heading to the University of Canberra 21-23 January 2026 Call for sessions and sponsors is out now!
2026.everythingopen.au
Help us get the conversation started!
#EverythingOpen
@linuxaustralia.bsky.social
@everythingopen.au
Everything Open is heading to the University of Canberra 21-23 January 2026 Call for sessions and sponsors is out now!
2026.everythingopen.au
Help us get the conversation started!
#EverythingOpen
@linuxaustralia.bsky.social
@everythingopen.au
Everything Open 2026 | Canberra, Australia
2026.everythingopen.au
August 1, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Huzzah!
Everything Open is heading to the University of Canberra 21-23 January 2026 Call for sessions and sponsors is out now!
2026.everythingopen.au
Help us get the conversation started!
#EverythingOpen
@linuxaustralia.bsky.social
@everythingopen.au
Everything Open is heading to the University of Canberra 21-23 January 2026 Call for sessions and sponsors is out now!
2026.everythingopen.au
Help us get the conversation started!
#EverythingOpen
@linuxaustralia.bsky.social
@everythingopen.au
@ashthelibrarian.bsky.social Call for sessions is out for 2026.everythingopen.au - would love to see a full track for all things #OpenEducation :)
Everything Open 2026 | Canberra, Australia
2026.everythingopen.au
August 1, 2025 at 12:40 AM
@ashthelibrarian.bsky.social Call for sessions is out for 2026.everythingopen.au - would love to see a full track for all things #OpenEducation :)
Just Start! Prevent analysis paralysis and get your mission moving. Yes, even the wrong direction is better than sitting still. #Agility and #OpenInnovation with #RedHat
April 10, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Just Start! Prevent analysis paralysis and get your mission moving. Yes, even the wrong direction is better than sitting still. #Agility and #OpenInnovation with #RedHat