[MLB-WIRELESS] Sydney, AWA, fees, inquiry

[Clae]

Further to the discussion about our relationship with Sydney, their fees etc.

In light of the current Federal inquiry into broadband wireless, I 
believe it would be a good idea to be forming alliances, not breaking 
them at this point.  It is vital that the amateur/community/hobby 
wireless movement in Australia presents as united a front as possible 
to this inquiry.  If we spend all our time squabbling with other 
groups about who's a profiteer, and who is the most community minded, 
we will end up looking like a total waste of time to the feds.

In fact, I think it would be a good idea to have a national 
representative body for the wireless freenet movement, outside and 
above the control of any of the regional networks.  This body should 
be disconnected from the operation of any actual networks, and 
operate solely as a lobbying voice on a national level, and to 
facilitate communication and co-operation between networks.

I would like to point out that charging fees does not make AWA a 
profit-making business.  A co-op or association can charge whatever 
fees they see fit, they are simply forbidden from distributing any 
excess above operating costs as profit to members or shareholders. 
Any excess must be put back into the organisation.  Even your local 
footy club charges fees.  If the directors of a co-op or ass'n were 
found to be distributing profits, they could be charged with a crime 
under the appropriate act.

Let's not dismiss the Sydney crew until we know more.  I believe 
their answer on the message board more than adequately counters each 
of the criticisms levelled at them.

I won't even get into the discussion about whether _we_ should be 
charging a fee. :-)

Clae.
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