The battle for “hearts and minds” intensifies within auDA.
First there is a group of auDA members calling for another SGM; and now the majority of the auDA Board (and senior management) have pulled out the political playbook. It really is déjà vu of last year, and most people know how that ended.
There’s got to be a morning after …
The point of my article today is that somehow all sides of the argument have to find a way to make a better auDA (for the benefit of the whole Australian internet community). If they don’t, then someone else will make the decision for them – and that’s when there may be “winners and losers”.
So I have a two-part suggestion (it’s both “creative” and “logical”):
- auDA should invite a cross section of the internet community to an “ideas summit”. I’m not talking about a little group of 5 or 6 – I’m talking 30 plus.
Sure it will cost money – but I think it will be a far better investment than spending truckloads of money on continuous legal and consultant fees. Get a few registrars (not just the big ones either); some resellers; some domain investors; academics; lawyers; SME’s and big business; non-profits; web designers; SEO specialists – anybody who utilises the internet. Who knows what will flow from this – but at least there will be communication, debate and a sharing of ideas – all targeted towards a more inclusive .au regulator.
auDA’s Constitution (in its OBJECTS) says in part:
3.2.b – establishing mechanisms to ensure it is responsive and accountable to the supply and demand sides of the Australian Internet Community;
3.2.f – adopting open and transparent procedures which are inclusive of all parties having an interest in use of the domain name system in Australia;
2. auDA should then take a leaf out of Nominet’s playbook, and form a Stakeholder Committee.
This does not supplant the auDA Board – it supplements and advises them. Have a look at the quality and diversity of their Committee Members. A friend of mine is one of the members, and he says this was a much needed initiative from Nominet.
The problem that the auDA Board has at the moment is that it is not truly representative – e.g. there is not one Registrar at the table.
What do you think?
Ned O’Meara – 13th April 2018
Disclaimer
I think it’s certainly better than what we have now. We do not want to be here again in 12 months. We need to regain auDA stability and grow membership. Good idea.
Ned, the proposal for a stakeholder committee certainly has merit and is worthy of consideration.
I think that auDA may have to await decisions of the Federal Government/Minister for Communications and the Arts arising from the Review of Australia’s .au domain management undertaken by his Department.
The Review will examine and make recommendations on:
the most appropriate framework for the management of the .au top level domain
how to ensure that Government and community expectations inform auDA’s operation and decision-making, and
mitigation strategies to address future risks to the security and stability of .au.
Ian Johnston
Personally I think it is too late for the current crew.
Very, very unhappy with them.
Unfortunately it’s up to the people to “Keep the bastards honest” – to quote the old Democrats leader.
If change is proposed and handled in a fair manner with due process it ultimately has to be accepted in our Democratic society. Unfortunately when change is thrust upon the people and manipulation and BS is used to back it up – that’s when there is a problem.
i think this is a great idea ned, i love brainstorming, and the diversity you suggest is good, i want the dubbo dentist as part of the group, i am serious !
tim