GCJCC calls on auDA to abandon plans for new domain
THE Gold Coast Junior Chamber of Commerce has welcomed a scathing review of the .au domain regulator — calling on the authority to abandon plans it claims would hurt small business.
Last week Federal Communications Minister Senator Mitch Fifield released a review by his department into the not- for-profit .au Domain Administration (auDA), which oversees the operation of Australia’s .au domain.
The review found that current management was “no longer fit for purpose” and released 29 recommendations for reforming consultation and management processes.
“Reform is necessary if the company is to perform effectively and meet the needs of Australia’s internet community,” Sen Fifield said.
“The Government expects to see significant progress within the next three to six months from auDA in implementing these changes.”
He said the delegation for management of .au will be transferred to another provider if auDA is “unable to achieve necessary outcomes”.
It comes as auDA considers plans to allow registration of .au websites, dropping the .com. It has, however, said it will delay consultation on the plans for a year.
GCJCC treasurer Alec Pokarier said the new domain plans would impact any business that wants to protect its brand by enabling competitors to take a business’ domain and put it under a .au address.
“The GCJCC continues to call on auDA to consider the detrimental impact this will have on small business and to abandon the proposal outright,” Mr Pokarier said.
“The consultation delay is simply auDA trying to rip the band-aid off slowly. As they tear off bit by bit, they continue to create uncertainty for small business. It’s time auDA tore the band-aid off in one quick go and abandon the proposal.”