Comments on Review of .au Domain Policy FrameworkFrom: Henley-Calvert, Conrad 
Sent: Monday, 28 May 2007 5:12 PM
To: jo.lim@auda.org.au
Cc: Greenwood, Phil
Subject: Comments on Review of .au Domain Policy Framework

Dear Ms Lim 

I am writing to comment in response to the Issues Paper, May 2007, released by the 2007 Names 
Policy Panel, on behalf of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia.

The issue on which we which to comment is: Should .au be opened up to direct registrations 
(eg. domainname.au)? If yes, should there be any policy rules, and if so what rules?

We have no view on the general question of opening up .au to direct registrations.  We recognise 
the arguments that are outlined in the issues paper, both for and against.

However, we wish to urge that, were .au to be open to direct registrations, option 2 would be 
adopted, allowing for a combination of direct registrations and the existing 2LD hierarchy.  
We would not like to see the loss of the existing 2LD hierarchy

Our reason for this is an examination of the situation of the Pharmaceutical Society of 
Australia, known by the acronym PSA.

The domains psa.org.au, psa.asn.au, psa.com.au and psa.net.au are registered to four different 
entities: the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the Public Service Association, Polystyrene 
Australia Pty Ltd and Print Solutions Australia Pty Ltd.  A requirement to move to a 
directly-registered domain name would cause conflict between the four entities for the rights 
to psa.au.  This would be an unnecessary imposition.

The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has good recognition for its existing domain among 
members, the profession and related organisations.  Were there to be the ability in the future 
to register a domain within .au, the Society might decide to proceed with such a registration.  
However, we see no reason to force such a move on this, or any other, organisation.

The existing 2LD hierarchy provides recognition for organisation types, giving us a 2LD 'home' 
with our fellow non-profits and professional organisations.  Removal of the 2LD hierarchy, 
even over time would, we believe, remove a tried and trusted aide for internet users in 
Australia.

Thank you for the Panel's consideration of our comments. 

Your sincerely 

Conrad Henley-Calvert MACS 
Information Services Manager 
Pharmaceutical Society of Australia