SENATOR THE HON RICHARD ALSTON

Minister for Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts

Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate

I

-8 Oct 1998

The Hon. William M. Daley

Secretary of Commerce

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

United States Department of Commerce

14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.

Washington, DC 20230 USA

Dear Secretary Daley

I note your receipt on 2 October of proposed Articles of Incorporation and By-laws for a new non-profit organization, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

The Australian Government broadly welcomes the proposed establishment of ICANN. It considers the ICANN proposals will provide a strong framework for effective reform and management of the domain name governing structure. The Australian Government also recognizes the quality and standing of the proposed initial board members.

I would like to register, however, two important concerns.

First, the documentation does not explicitly recognize the continuation of the authority of national governments to manage or establish policy for their own ccTLDs. This right was explicitly recognized in the US White Paper released in June 1998. The Australian Government requests that such provision appear in the By-laws of the ICANN as eventually recognized by the US Administration.

Second, the Australian government would prefer a change in the mix of the initial governing board to also include a representative from a developing Asian country. It is important for the credibility of the new organization in developing markets that the interests of developing countries be seen to be represented in its formation. Further, the balance between European and total Asia-Pacific representation on the interim board should not be equal. Users in the Asia-Pacific account for 15% of global users of the internet, while users in the European Community account for just over 17%, (North American countries accounts for 60%). It s important that the board representation reflect the global nature of the internet.

I look forward to furthering our consultations.

Yours sincerely,

RICHARD ALSTON

Minister for Communications,

the Information Economy and the Arts

M e d i a

SENATOR THE HON RICHARD ALSTON

Minister for Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts

Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate

R e l e a s e

AUSTRALIA WELCOMES PROPOSED NEW INTERNET BODY

The Minister for Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts. Senator Richard Alston, today broadly endorsed the proposed structure of the new Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

ICANN will be a non-profit organisation responsible for managing the allocation of internet top level domain names and addresses - such as companyname. com or stategovernment.gov

The proposed structure, Articles of Association, Bylaws and proposed initial Board members

were developed through months of intensive negotiation and discussions among global

internet stakeholders, including Australian business and government representatives. The US

Government is currently considering the proposals.

'The Australian Government is confident that ICANN will provide a strong framework for effective reform and management of the domain name governing structure,' Senator Alston said.

'Australia believes that the proposed individual Board members all have the necessary skills and expertise necessary for this important role. Australia is particularly pleased that Mr.Greg Crew, the Chairman of the Australian Communications Industry Forum, had been proposed for the Board.

'However, the Government is concerned that the Bylaws do not explicitly recognise the rights of national governments to oversee the administration of their own country-code top level domains, and we will argue that this be reflected in the final structure.'

Senator Alston said that Australia had also consistently argued that developing nations should be represented on the ICANN Board. The Australian Government therefore believes that the geographical mix of Board members should be varied to more adequately reflect global internet usage.

Internet users in the developed countries of the Asia-Pacific account for 15% of global users, while users in the European Union account for just over 17%. However, the proposed Board structure allocates 50% greater representation to Europe.

'Australia believes that developing nations - especially those in Asia - should also have a position on the ICANN Board,' Senator Alston said.

Media Contact: Terry. O'Connor, Minister's office 0419 636 879

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8 October 1998