To: Chris Disspain, CEO auDA

Dear Chris

I'm seeking answers to three questions below please, but first some
background:

The Name Panel's first report states:

"Geographic domain names are prohibited in com.au and net.au, but are
allowed in all other 2LDs.  Both gov.au and edu.au use a geographic naming
hierarchy."

"... there is consensus among the Panel that the restriction on geographic
domain names should be removed, to meet public demand."

"The Panel intends to address the issue of geographic domain names as part
of its consideration of new 2LDs.  Therefore, it has not put forward a
recommendation on geographic domain names in this report."

The auDA Board's May 2001 minutes
<www.auda.org.au/about/minutes/board-200105.html> record: The Board decided
to reserve its position on geographic domain names until it receives the
Panel’s report on new second level domains.

The Board's August 2001 minutes
<www.auda.org.au/about/minutes/board-200108.html> record consideration of
and decisions on the Name Panel's second report.  The minutes record that
the Board accepted the Panel's recommendation that a new community-focused
geographic 2LD or 2LDs should be given high priority in the process for
selecting new 2LDs.  I can find no reference to the Board's position on
registration of geographic domain names in com.au and .net.au.

The Panel's second report states: However, the Panel cautions that proposals
for new geographic 2LDs should be carefully considered and widely canvassed.
In particular, it is critical that new geographic 2LDs are
community-focused, not government-focused.

My questions are:

When do you expect the process calling for proposals for new 2LDs to begin?

What, if any, decision has been made by the Board on removing the
restriction on geographic domain names in com.au and net.au?

How and when do you expect the issue of the restriction on geographic domain
names in com.au and net.au being progressed?

Regards


Ian Johnston
auDA Member
Consultant to SETEL, auDA Member