AWSDA are pushing forward with lobbying the Australian Government to have auDA the Australian Domain Administrator’s policies and conduct reviewed after auDA switched off and de-registered a legally registered Australian Association’s domain names in AWSDA.

Paul Klerck the president of AWSDA the Australian Web Site Developers Association is determined to have his day against auDA in the appropriate forum on behalf of the legitimate charities and not for profit organisations that he represents. One needs to question whether a self-regulatory body like auDA should have the ability and discretion to act as judge, jury and executioner in relation to the livelyhood and existance of a legally registered not for profit organisations such as AWSDA and many other such bodies that provide community information, support and services to benefit the Australian public and charities.

Paul Klerck believes organisations such as auDA are operating without boundaries, regulation or accountability to any government authority. This causes a renegade faction within our community that promotes distrust and contempt by the peoples and bodies that do not have a voice. One could be forgiven for believing this behaviour is akin to a communistic regime.

One only has to look to our current political system where the doctrine of separation of powers it is enshrined. Where Government is found accountable from the judiciary. One has to ask who is auDA accountable to? It is is potentially dangerous where a self-regulatory body is not expected to follow this doctine, answer to a government body and effectively be a power unto themselves.

There are several questions that need to be answered.
Firstly, who are auDA?
2. Is it right for auDa to make decision regarding domain eligibility where they have a direct financial interest?
3. Will anyone ever regulate their actions or enforce their accountability?
4. In a democratic society, should bodies and individuals have the right to appeal their decisions?
5. Should a not for profit organisation have a CEO or a president?
6. Is it acceptable that a person at the head of a not for profit organisation receives a large annual salary?
7. Who is going to step-up and investigate auDA in order to answer, once and for all, the questions listed above.

Just because you call yourself a not for profit organisation it doesn’t neccessarily mean that you are according to law. The Australian Domain Name Administrators (auDA) need to be accountable to a government body. The same way that telecommunications industry is answerable to tribunals and the administrative arm of Government. The Australian Web Site Developers Association (who’s president and secretary don’t take a wage in the interest of the association and its members) are doing a great job in promoting reform in the name of the public and charities throughout Australia.

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