Australia backs Internet status quo

July 2005

Australia has backed the current Internet governance regime in the wake of the Bush administration's surprise announcement it would not relinquish control of the Net to any other body.

In the past, the US has indicated it would transfer the responsibility of managing the Internet's "root" -- the master file that lists what top-level domains are authorised -- to the non-profit, private Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). But last week, Assistant Commerce Secretary Michael Gallagher said the US would "maintain its historic role in authorising changes or modifications to the authoritative root zone file."

In addition, the US will continue to maintain "oversight" over ICANN and prevent its "focus" from straying from technical coordination.

When asked if Australia supported the Bush administration's decision, Senator Helen Coonan, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, told ZDNet Australia : "The governance of the Internet should facilitate the participation of multiple stakeholders, including the industry and business, civil society and governments.