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It’s not about the size of the population, it’s about where we’re all going to live

One day a rooster, the next day a feather duster!

By LAURIE PATTON | 29 July 2018

Another week, another newspaper devotes thousands of words to the vexed question of population growth. The conclusion, once again, is that we need a more rational discussion – and, above all, a plan.

Sadly, some people are using the size of our population and its growth to justify campaigns that are simply racist and uncalled-for in this country.

The way I see it, we keep asking the wrong question. It’s not about how many people live here, or where they come from. It’s about where we’ll all live in the years ahead.

Continue reading “It’s not about the size of the population, it’s about where we’re all going to live”

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Sticks and stones — attempted coup at auDA flounders on disinterest

By LAURIE PATTON | 28 Jul 2018

The proposition that there’s widespread member concern at the state of auDA – the company managing our Internet domain names – has been dealt a definitive blow.

Firstly, the vote at a Special General Meeting to decide the fate of three directors, including independent chair Chris Leptos, saw them retain their positions. Secondly, voter turnout was extremely low, suggesting most members are at least satisfied that long needed reform is progressing. Thirdly, the disruptive behaviour of a dissident group, appropriately known as the Grumpies, reinforced the view that they and their cause have no merit. Continue reading “Sticks and stones — attempted coup at auDA flounders on disinterest”

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auDA — more questions and answers

By LAURIE PATTON | 26 July 2018

As I’ve previously written, tomorrow in Melbourne a Special General Meeting will determine the fate of three directors of auDA – the company managing our Internet domain names – including the independent chair Chris Leptos.

I recently published a Q&A with Cameron Boardman, the CEO of auDA, and subsequently a list of questions for the Grumpies – the small group of auDA members that called for the meeting. They have so far refused to answer their questions.

The additional information below has been supplied by auDA for its members and anyone else interested in the future of our domain names service.

Continue reading “auDA — more questions and answers”

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Let’s meet, then please move on — reforming auDA

By LAURIE PATTON | 25 July 2018

“The process of registering and administering Internet domain names under the .au top level domain must be managed with full integrity and transparency of process and decision-making to ensure this public resource supports the needs of all Internet users and stakeholders”.

This statement from Internet Australia chair, Dr Paul Brooks, sums up why a number of Internet industry players are speaking out against a board spill at a Special General Meeting of auDA – the company managing our Internet domain names – to be held in Melbourne on Friday. If you have a website you’ll have dealt with one of the companies that sell domain names to the public. They all operate under the authority and supervision of auDA.

Continue reading “Let’s meet, then please move on — reforming auDA”

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Public servants, political appointments and good government

One day a rooster, the next day a feather duster!

By LAURIE PATTON | 19 July 2018

We need to inject some ultimate responsibility into public administration. The buck has to stop somewhere.

What was perceived in some circles as two highly political appointments to plum roles in the federal public service highlights a need to re-examine government administration in the 21st Century. Not because such appointments are necessarily inappropriate, but because they expose a basic disconnect.

We still like to pretend we have an olde-worlde apolitical public service consisting of career bureaucrats who have no political leanings and/or are never influenced by them. If this was ever the case, it is no longer.

Worse still, the way public servants pursue their upward career mobility results in a surplus of generalists and a dearth of subject matter experts.

Continue reading “Public servants, political appointments and good government”

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The .au domain name lifecycle

By AFILIAS | 16 July 2018

In today’s blog we’re going to talk about the lifecycle of .au domain names. We look at what goes on with a domain name prior to it being added to the drop list and purged (i.e. made available for someone else to register). auDA – the policy authority and industry self-regulatory body for the .au domain space – has specified this process in the Domain Renewal, Expiry and Deletion Policy. Continue reading “The .au domain name lifecycle”

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Baseless attacks by NBN Co cronies see resignations from Internet Australia

By LAURIE PATTON | 15 September 2017

Outgoing chair of Internet Australia, Anne Hurley, has grown tired of defending herself and IA against baseless attacks from people with questionable agendas.

In my case, like Anne, I’m incredibly proud of the impact we’ve had highlighting the need for a 21st Century NBN. At every stage, I’ve been mindful of the supportive feedback we have received from IA members and the general public and been guided by a member survey that overwhelmingly opposed the deployment of inferior copper-wire-based FTTN. Continue reading “Baseless attacks by NBN Co cronies see resignations from Internet Australia”

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The case for mandating governance training for NFP boards

By LAURIE PATTON | 18 July 2017

It’s time for charities, not-for-profits, in fact every volunteer organisation to have a good look in the governance mirror – especially their directors and senior executives. And it would be a good idea for the members of NFP’s in particular to critically assess the governance practices of their boards.

Too many volunteer boards are dominated by people who hang on limpet-like for too long – precluding others from contributing and defending past policies and practices long deserving review.

Keeping boards active and relevant to the needs of their members is a major issue that requires constant vigilence.

Perhaps we even need to look at changing the relevant laws to ensure better governance of the sector?

Continue reading “The case for mandating governance training for NFP boards”