Further discussion of the redelegation for .au has been prompted by a
Sydney Morning Herald report that Robert Elz has responded to the formal
request from IANA. Thanks to Roger Clarke for bring this report to the
attention of Link List members. The SMH report suggests that Robert
commented negatively on the auDA proposal for redelegation of .au to
auDA.
I must say that I agree with Roger, that in general journalists have
difficulty grasping the dimensions of Internet issues particularly
Internet policy. The motivation of some journalists has more to do with
creating news than progressing community understanding.
In the case of domain name policy in Australia, we have fortunately been
making significant progress of recent times. ISOC-AU has been working
hard in this context on three fronts:
1 to maximise transparency in domain name policy making in Australia
2 to ensure that all stakeholders with an interest have the
opportunity for input
3 to speed the introduction of competition in the interests of
Internet users and
the Australian community
We have welcomed the imminent implementation of competition following
the establishment of auDA and nearly 12 months of work by the names and
competition panels. See ISOC-AU news releases on this topic at
http://www.isoc-au.org.au. These news releases have previously been
circulated to Link.
My understanding is that we have not previously been able to achieve
such significant progress in discussion of these issues. Accordingly, I
can understand that Robert may wish to carefully consider whether he
supports redelegation or not in these circumstances. The immense
increase in popularity of the Internet and its importance as a personal
and business tool, mean that we have moved into a greater realm of
complexity. The onus is on all of us to make sure that those who have
views about domain name policy are listened to. In this context, if
there is one lesson we can learn from international domain name
processes then it is the importance of transparency in decision making.
The positive results of all this work are close at hand. For the first
time, we are on verge of implementation of competition in supply of
domain name services in Australia. It is essential that we do not blow
this opportunity. The .au space is truly the presence of Australian
culture and business on the Net. This point was brought home forcefully
to me in Sweden this year where .se provides an access point to Swedish
language, cultural and business resources; similarly for .ca in the case
of Canada. We need to ensure that .au provides a similar resource for
Australia and that there is a competitive regime for provision of domain
name services that serves the interests of Internet users.
I am not arguing that the result should be competition at any price. In
fact, the situation is quite the reverse. The auDA process has
demonstrated high transparency. Minutes of all panel meetings are
available on the auDA web site together with the interim and final
reports of the panels - see http://www.auda.org.au All who presented
views to those processes have been listened to.
As a committed participant in those processes, I can tell you that the
thinking of all involved was *shifted* and in my view *improved* as a
result of participation. We now have a better proposal as a result of
this collective work. Naturally, the opportunity to contribute and
discussion does not go away with the completion of the panel's work, but
those who would contribute now, should take the time to consider the
work that has been done so far. Ian Johnston provided a very useful set
of links to relevant information sources. Pejorative comments in this
context are particularly unhelpful, from whatever quarter - yes, I can
come clean and say that I am anti flame wars :)
What are the results?
- the competition model can provide significant benefit to Internet
users by introducing competition between registrars. It should be
implemented as soon as possible. We do not want anything to delay this
process.
- the competition model has little chance of implementation unless
redelegation goes ahead, while giving Robert Elz the opportunity to make
a considered judgement.
- there is a real prospect of introducing new second level domains and
opening up access to existing second level domains such as .id.au to
provide greater benefit to Internet users.
- the recommendations of the names panel provide a sound base for
implementation of competition
(interestingly they endorse and build on the structure that Robert Elz
and others put in place)
It is essential that these changes are introduced as a package. You
can't have the benefits of one without the others.
In my view, the evidence is there to allow redelegation to go ahead.
But I can understand that Robert would want to consider the
circumstances carefully before endorsing redelegation. There is a real
decision to be taken. It should be taken on the basis of evidence and
if Robert seeks any additional information it should be provided and his
views should be carefully considered. After all, he was a key architect
of the .au DNS structure, and this structure has been strongly endorsed
by the current process.
The redelegation process needs to follow the IANA policy under ICANN.
This process emphasises the desirability of all parties coming to their
own agreement. In the event, that this positive conclusion is not
possible, then IANA may take a decision. I think Australia should be
able to reach its own resolution of these matters. auDA is not at
liberty to publicly share documents that have been provided to IANA. I
have provided the above information to assist in wider discussion of the
models and would be happy to continue such discussion while people are
interested.
In the end, the stability of the DNS is of paramount concern.
Australian participation in the unitary DNS is also essential. Unless
the system works, no one will be able to use it!
regards, Tony Hill
-- | Tony Hill ed@isoc-au.org.au Executive Director | | icq 103707971 Internet Society of Australia (ISOC-AU) | | Tel +61 2 6257 5544 PO Box 152 | | Mobile 041 212 8755 Civic Square ACT 2608 Australia | | Fax +61 2 6262 9938 www.isoc-au.org.au | | The Internet is for Everyone! |-----Original Message----- From: owner-link@www.anu.edu.au [mailto:owner-link@www.anu.edu.au]On Behalf Of Chris Disspain Sent: Monday, 6 August 2001 4:31 PM To: Roger Clarke Cc: link@www.anu.edu.au; Robert Elz; Tony Hill, Exec Director, ISOC-AU Subject: [LINK] RE: The auDA-Elz Standoff
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