[LINK] re-delegation of .au - media release (fwd)

[Andrew Francis]

It seems that auDA has .au - this was sent to the WAIX (Perth peering
point) mailing list today.

The news doesn't appear to be on the auDA site yet.

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.au delegated to auDA

International decision clears the way for Internet names reform as
management of .au, Australia's top-level domain, is to be transferred to .au
Domain Administration (auDA)

Melbourne, 3 September 2001: The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (the
IANA), the international body for the Internet domain names system will
delegate responsibility for the .au domain to auDA.  The decision clears the
way for a number of reforms proposed by auDA.

auDA CEO, Chris Disspain, said, "This is a significant milestone for the
Australian Internet community.  auDA will take over management of the .au
space from Mr Robert Elz, who has held administrative responsibility for the
domain since 1985."

"The IANA's decision recognises it's now time to move to a different
arrangement for administration of .au, one that reflects the changing role
of the Internet in community and business life in Australia."

auDA will begin implementing its key initiatives for domain management over
the next few weeks.  These include introduction of competition in domain
name registration, changes to the names policy, and the introduction of an
Australian domain name dispute resolution process.

"Once the delegation process is completed, auDA will have overall
responsibility for the  .au domain.  This means we need to promote greater
awareness of its value as the first choice of address for all Australians.
We also need to put in place a framework that will sustain the domain
commercially," said Chris Disspain.

"The delegation of .au domain space to auDA will ultimately mean a more
transparent, simpler and cost-effective registration process for businesses
and consumers.  auDA's reforms will bring a greater level of consumer
protection and add further value to the .au domain.

"auDA recognises the importance of the part Robert Elz has played in
administration of the .au domain since 1985.  Mr Elz pioneered the Internet
in Australia and has been a key figure in the development of the Australian
Internet industry.  He deserves to be recognised as a visionary and as a
person deeply committed to responsible management of the .au domain. We
acknowledge the support of the Australian Government and the Internet
community throughout the re-delegation process," Chris Disspain said.


Chris Disspain
CEO - auDA
ceo@auda.org.au
+61-3-9226-9495
www.auda.org.au