the new regime

auDA has commenced implementation of its plans for the new regime, with redelegation by ICANN of responsibility for the dot-au space, release of policy documents and publication of tender requests.

We'll be reporting on the new regime as implementation occurs.

     registry services

In line with the Competition Model Advisory Panel's final report, auDA is preparing to issue a Request for Tender for the provision of registry services for the asn.au, com.au, edu.au, gov.au, id.au, net.au and org.au 2LDs.

The organisation has released its Registry Technical Specification (PDF) for public comment. Feedback is available here. A public meeting was held on 2 Octoberto facilitate discussion of the Specification; a summary report of the meeting is available here.

     competition

auDA will also be issuing an Expression of Interest for new registrars to operate in the dot-au domain. It has issued an Interim Code of Practice (PDF), based on the ICANN Accredited Registrars' draft Code of Conduct.

The interim Code was recommended in the Competition Panel's final report. It's particularly timely because of what auDA describes as "some undesirable practices currently happening in the industry". Community comment has been sought on the Interim Code; that feedback will be posted on the auDA site.

auDA is seeking public comment on a draft Registrar Agreement (PDF) and draft Registrar Acceditation Application form (PDF). Feedback about those documents is published on the auDA site.

A summary report (PDF) of the 5 October public meeting regarding the registrar documents is available.

The organisation also expects to publish a Consumer Safeguards Policy in the near future, outlining additional consumer safeguards that will apply to registrars and resellers once competition is introduced. It intends to convene a Code of Practice Working Group during the test-bed period for new registry services.