New 2LDs Advisory Panel
Terms of Reference
Purpose
The purpose of the Panel is to:
- evaluate proposals for the creation of new second level domains (2LDs) against the approved selection criteria;
- consider proposals for the reactivation of conf.au and info.au; and
- provide recommendations to the auDA board.
Background
In June 2001, auDA's Name Policy Advisory Panel recommended that auDA adopt a process and selection criteria for considering the creation of new 2LDs in the .au domain space.
In 2002-03, auDA’s New Names Advisory Panel evaluated 17 proposals for the creation of new 2LDs, submitted in response to an open call for proposals issued by auDA. The only proposal recommended by the Panel was for the creation of 8 new 2LDs for Australian states and territories (eg. vic.au), to facilitate community use of geographic domain names. The auDA board accepted the Panel’s recommendation in November 2002, and the community geographic 2LDs were launched in August 2006.
The New Names Advisory Panel also recommended a process for the future consideration of new 2LD proposals. This process was approved by the auDA board in April 2003.
References:
- “Process for Future Consideration of New 2LD Proposals, April 2003”
- “Proposals for New 2LDs: Recommendations to the auDA Board, April 2003”
- “Interim Report to the auDA Board, October 2002”
- “Final Report on New 2LDs in the Australian DNS, June 2001”
Activity
The Panel will undertake the following activities:
1. Evaluate proposals for the creation of new 2LDs against the selection criteria outlined in the Call for New 2LD Proposals, October 2009, and provide recommendations to the auDA board.
Reference: “Call for New 2LD Proposals, October 2009”
2. Consider proposals for the reactivation of conf.au and info.au, and provide recommendations to the auDA board.
Reference: “Call for Proposals for conf.au and info.au, October 2009”
Chair
The auDA board has appointed Derek Whitehead, Director, Information Services and University Copyright Officer, Swinburne University to chair the Panel.
Members
The Panel will consist of up to ten members other than the Chair. It is intended that the Panel will represent the key stakeholders in the Australian domain name system, including auDA Board members, auDA members, auDA accredited registrars, domain name resellers, domain name holders (registrants), domainers, business, consumers, government, law enforcement, legal sector, IT industry and internet users.
Panel members will be appointed by the auDA board on the basis of their individual skills, experience and knowledge of the domain name industry. The board will also seek to achieve a fair balance of stakeholder interests.
Membership of the Panel is on a voluntary basis, although auDA may assist with expenses (refer to Operations below). Panel members must be prepared to commit their time and effort for the duration of the Terms of Reference (refer to Timeline below).
Operations
The Panel will determine its own operational procedures.
The Panel will undertake at least two public consultations during the course of its work.
The Chair will provide regular progress reports to the auDA Board.
auDA will provide secretariat and other operational support to the Panel.
auDA may provide financial assistance to Panel members where required, for example in the case of not-for-profit organisations and individuals whose participation in the Panel is not funded by their employer. Such assistance will be provided at auDA’s discretion.
Timeline
An indicative timeline is as follows:
Activity | Timing |
auDA issues calls for new 2LD / conf.au / info.au proposals and Panel nominations | 1 October 2009 |
auDA Board confirms Panel Terms of Reference and membership | December 2009 |
1st Panel meeting | February 2010 |
1st public consultation | March 2010 |
2nd public consultation | May 2010 |
Panel's final report to auDA Board | June 2010 |
The timeline is subject to change.
Last Updated: 15/12/2009 17:00
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