Yesterday, I got approached to do an interview on 2GB with Ross Greenwood about the auDA situation. In particular, the S249D meeting members had called to oust the Chair Stuart Benjamin. As everyone now knows, Stuart saw the writing on the wall, and resigned on the Friday.
I couldn’t participate because I was about to fly to Sydney. They chased me up again today, and I put them in touch with Josh Rowe (because I was still travelling home to Townsville via a short meeting in Brisbane).
Josh was happy to do the interview – and as one of the signatories to the S249D meeting (and a former auDA Director), he was well placed to comment. He outlined some of the continuing issues that members need auDA to address.
The interview happened just after 7pm tonight – and here is the official podcast link from Radio 2gB:
“Revolt at .au domain name administrator”
Ned O’Meara – 2nd August 2017
Disclaimer
Much of this mess could be avoided. Everyone warned them and many people bent over backwards to offer help and suggestions.
https://www.dntrade.com.au/threads/auda-improvement-suggestions-list-your-suggestions-for-auda-and-board.11047/
Ned you tried in vain but kept up the efforts. Well done.
I dare say the only way forward now may be a new more qualified domain name industry experienced CEO and a complete new auDA Board also with more real domain name experience and far less Conflicts Of Interest.
In 2008 the Wholesale .au Contract Renewal was done with a term the wholesale pricing would be reduced further as registration increased. 9 years later and this never happened? Why not? Who is making all of the profits? It is easy to see who!
https://www.ausregistry.com.au/auda-extends-ausregistrys-au-registry-term-to-2014/
The major points of the renegotiated Licence Agreement include:
new pricing that sees a drop in AusRegistry’s wholesale price to $14 (for a 2 year licence) for .com.au and .net.au domains and further drops as volumes increase.
https://www.crn.com.au/news/118m-payday-for-melbourne-domain-name-firm-407350
Excellent interview, well done Josh.
Very well done, Josh.
I can just imagine how many buttocks clenched at auDA.
Four-state prime-time media coverage for the first time and not the sort they wanted.
So, how is the output from the SGM going? CB’s slides at least should be public for all. Eventually. Maybe.