auDA panel proposes geographic second-level domains

auDA's New Names Advisory Panel has issued an interim report recommending the creation of eight new second-level domains (2LDs) related to the eight Australian states and territories. The auDA Board asked the panel to undertake a period of public consultation (which ended on November 5) before submitting its final report in March 2003.

The interim report is based on a proposal put forward by the One City One Site working party. It suggests that domain names within the new 2LDs should be restricted to websites that reflect community interests (eg, local business, tourism, historical and special interest groups). The proposal also suggests that place names could be registered as third-level domains (ie, placename.state.au), but only where the domain name matches the place name exactly.

The results of the public consultation are expected to address auDA's concerns that the Australian internet community has advance notice of, and opportunity to comment on, this significant change to the Australian domain name system.

For background discussion, see Consultation opens the door to closed 2LDs.

Philip Argy, Mallesons Stephen Jaques, Sydney