Second IANA Report on Request for Redelegation of the .au Top-Level Domain

IANA Report

The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (the IANA), as part of the administrative functions associated with management of the domain-name system root, is responsible for receiving requests for delegation and redelegation of top-level domains, investigating the circumstances pertinent to those requests, and reporting on the requests.

Background

On 31 August 2001, the IANA issued a report on a Request of the .au Domain Administration (auDA) for the Redelegation of .au Top -Level Domain. In this report, the IANA concluded that

The structure proposed by auDA and endorsed by the Australian Government is to have auDA undertake management of the .au ccTLD under appropriate oversight of the Australian Government (concerning national public-policy interests) and ICANN (concerning global technical-coordination interests). This structure is consonant with the principle of private-sector responsibility for technical coordination under which the Internet has flourished. In reviewing the request and in light of the Australian Government's endorsement of auDA as the appropriate private-sector manager, the IANA concludes that, provided auDA's commitment to these responsibilities is effectively ensured, auDA is the appropriate delegee of the .au ccTLD.

One mechanism to reflect these commitments is the arrangement embodied in the GAC Principles. Where, as here, the relevant government is prepared to carry out the ultimate responsibility for overseeing the ccTLD manager's service to the local Internet community and the manager is prepared to conduct itself within that framework, the interests of the local and global Internet communities are served by ICANN joining into that cooperative arrangement.

Two of the three parts of that arrangement-the auDA/Government and Government/ICANN communications-have already been implemented. Upon conclusion of a mutually satisfactory agreement between ICANN and auDA reflecting the principles set forth in clause 10 of the GAC principles, adjusted as necessary to suit local circumstances, the .au ccTLD should be redelgated to auDA. Once such an agreement is entered, the U.S. Department of Commerce should establish revised procedures for maintenance of the .au entry in the root zone file that enable ICANN to perform its obligations under that agreement, and that permit moving forward responsibly with the transition to private-sector technical management of the Internet.

On 4 September 2001, ICANN posted the proposed Sponsorship Agreement with auDA for public comment. On 10 September, following its public forum, the ICANN Board authorized the ICANN President to enter on behalf of ICANN the ccTLD Sponsorship Agreement for .au with auDA as posted on the ICANN website, along with any minor corrections or adjustments as appropriate.¹ The Board also authorized, upon signature of the agreement, the President to take such actions as appropriate to implement the agreement.² On 25 October 2001, the auDA-ICANN agreement was signed.

Conclusion

With the achievement of this agreement, the necessary framework of accountability has been achieved, consistent with clause 10 of the GAC Principles concerning accountability of ICANN and ccTLD trustees. Accordingly, the IANA concludes that the redelegation request should now go forward.

Notes:

1. ICANN Board resolution 01.87 (10 September 2001).

2. ICANN Board resolution 01.88 (10 September 2001).

Page Updated 03-Feb-2002
©2001  The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers.All rights reserved.