Govt launches review into .au TLD

The Turnbull government has launched a review into the management of Australia's .au domain and is seeking feedback from stakeholders and the online community.

The review will examine and make recommendations on the most appropriate framework for the management of the .au top-level domain, which is administered by the .au Domain Administration (auDA).

The consultation is seeking feedback into .auDA's primary roles and responsibilities and what external trends or developments could influence these responsibilities.

In addition, the review will explore how to ensure that .auDA's operation and decision-making is shaped by government and community expectations, as well as potential future risks to the security and stability of the domain and any mitigation strategies.

The discussion paper for the review states that since the .au management framework was developed in 2000 the digital landscape has changed dramatically as the internet became integral to the economy and society as a whole.

As a condition of its endorsement by the government as the .au administrator, .auDA is required to treat the internet naming system as a public resource, operate as a fully self-funding and not-for-profit organisation and be inclusive of and accountable to all members of the Australian internet community.

This requires .auDA to adopt open, transparent and consultative processes and promote competition, fair trading as well as provisions for consumer protection and support.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Edelweiss

Follow us and share on Twitter and Facebook