Branch stacking!

[DomainNames]

I'm surprised the auDA Board continues to approve applicants for membership using a constitution that enables membership stacking.

.

They keep giving the finger to the Government review and DoCA...

Maybe some people on the auDA Board or auDA Management could benefit from the stacking and any of those eligible member votes....

I wonder if the CMWG are wasting their time?

Who runs this? https://twitter.com/auda_news?lang=en

 

[DomainNames]

NEW .AU WHOLESALE REGISTRY SUBCONTRACTOR SUPPLIER STAFF START STACKING AUDA TO VOTE AND INFLUENCE?

https://afilias.com.au/newsroom/blog-posts/afilias-staffers-excited-join-auda

Afilias Staffers Excited to Join auDA
17 June 2018

This AUsome! blog addresses the technical portion of the .au Registry Transformation Project. In today’s post, we celebrate the Afilias staffers who have decided to join auDA.

As many of you know, auDA (au Domain Administration Ltd) is the policy and self-regulatory body for the .au domain space on the internet. It is primarily responsible for ensuring that the zone file is accurate and continuously updated. Further, it establishes policy, licenses registrars, oversees the dispute resolution policy and implements consumer safeguards.

To discharge these myriad responsibilities, auDA is a membership organization open to all stakeholders of the Australian domain name system including registrants, industry participants and the general public.

Since Afilias was appointed to supply registry services for .au beginning July 01, 2018, Afilias staff have been learning as much as possible about auDA, even as they have been preparing for the transition on June 30.

When they learned that they were now stakeholders and eligible for membership, many Afilias staffers joined right away. Why? They joined to enjoy several important benefits. First, membership affords a voice in the future of .au. Second, members receive the auDA member newsletter, so they’ll be up to date on auDA priorities and topics. And third, members receive subscriptions to the member mailing list, so they can participate in discussions about items of interest.

Afilias staff have always considered themselves stakeholders in our client’s businesses. After all, if our clients succeed, we will too. Conversely, if clients do not succeed, Afilias’ fortunes will falter as well. When Afilias began supporting the .org domain back in 2002, many on the team became ISOC members and have been members ever since. Afilias staff are also members of organizations like CENTR, APTLD, LACTLD, IETF and other industry groups. Involvement reinforces the sense of responsibility and connectedness we feel towards our clients.

So, “good on ya” new auDA members from Afilias!

Have a question or want to suggest a topic for us to cover? Email us at transformationblog@afilias.com.au.

More information on Afilias plc is located at www.afilias.info.

​

 

[snoopy]

I wonder if auDA has encouraged them to join, if so I'd say it is highly inappropriate given the very large contract auDA has awarded them.

 

[DomainNames]

When will the Government and ACCC wake up?

https://www.dntrade.com.au/threads/branch-stacking.11943/page-2#post-93175
https://afilias.com.au/newsroom/blog-posts/afilias-staffers-excited-join-auda
http://www.domainpulse.com/2018/06/14/auda-branchstacking-ahead-sgm/

https://www.cio.com.au/article/640272/govt-demands-sweeping-reforms-auda/
https://www.dntrade.com.au/threads/auda-out-of-time-government-concerned-about-auda-stacking.11863/
https://www.insideretail.com.au/news/government-to-oversee-reforms-to-peak-domain-body-201804
https://www.smartcompany.com.au/technology/seo/smes-demand-answers-auda-introduction-au-domain/

https://www.smartcompany.com.au/technology/seo/smes-demand-answers-auda-introduction-au-domain/

"When considering policy matters that may liberalise the .au namespace there are obvious conflicts of interest that can arise, particularly within the Supply class.

The situation is worsened by auDA’s relatively small membership base, which has approximately 250 Demand class members and only approximately 50 Supply class members. Once again, this greatly increases the chance of capture. For example, a Supply class stakeholder may operate 4 or 5 “Resellers” of .au names and could register each as a member – for only $110 per year each. Anecdotal evidence already shows that some degree of “branch stacking” has happened in this way, in the past.

There is also a lack of clarity about the boundaries of each class and has resulted in the transition of auDA Directors from representing one class to another (most recently at the 2017 AGM)."
https://www.communications.gov.au/s...paul_szyndler_auda_submission_pdf_publish.pdf​

https://www.google.com/search?clien...1j0i10k1j0i22i30k1j0i22i10i30k1.0.WCptmIZkd1Q

http://domainincite.com/22895-government-gives-auda-reform-or-die-ultimatum

'dot au' dispute
Apr 25, 2018 - There was a widespread view within the department that auDA had been “subject to capture” and “membership stacking” by vested interests.
https://www.dntrade.com.au/threads/huge-news-regarding-auda.11634/page-4

https://www.channelnews.com.au/australians-said-to-have-been-ripped-off-on-domain-names-since-2008/

https://www.channelnews.com.au/australians-said-to-have-been-ripped-off-on-domain-names-since-2008/
__________

Some common themes,

• Supply side branch stacking
• Supply side has gained control over the auDA policy and development process (esp in relation to .au)
• Criticism of directors “swapping sides”
• Board weighted towards industry insiders (registrars/resellers/registry ) rather than representing general public
• Criticism over auDA membership fees and low membership base, this is not just from individuals but also from comes from organisations such as eDAC & Internet Australia. The CIRA model seems to be a common suggestion
• Need for by-election for casual vacancies

 

[snoopy]

Branch stacking has now gotten to ridiculous levels with what sounds like supply side registrars who support the current regime being encouraged to get employees to join as demand members. (Ventraip, Affilias)

We can all be thankful the Federal Court did not give them the extension they asked for (which would allowed a whole lot of new members to vote). Government should consider early intervention in my view as the place is clearly falling apart.

 

[snoopy]

Key takeaway: If constitutional change is achieved by by supply side and/or auDA management branch stacking of demand class then none of auDA issues will be solved.

The government will still have very major issues to fix with auDA, the most obvious being "capture" of the organisation.

 

[Bacon Farmer]

Hilarious stuff this latest auDA stunt bordering on being criminally funny.

Love the transparency you scumbags.

 

[Bacon Farmer]

If you work for or a close relative works for a supply side entity, you should be banned from holding a demand side membership.

C'mon DoCA wake up.

 

[Bacon Farmer]

The bottom line is that the membership has been gamed by the supply side and will be shortly controlled by commercial vested interests.

The internet is a public asset that should not be held cative to commercial interests.

Time to smell the roses Mitch, this shit ain't going to fly.

 

[snoopy]

The bottom line is that the membership has been gamed by the supply side and will be shortly controlled by commercial vested interests.

The internet is a public asset that should not be held cative to commercial interests.

Time to smell the roses Mitch, this shit ain't going to fly.

Agree, the issues with auDA are going to go on from another 10 years unless the government will act. Clearly auDA is never going to achieve genuine reform of its own, only more of the same.

 

[DomainNames]

https://www.domainer.com.au/when-does-a-conflict-of-interest-exist/

 

[DomainNames]

Funny none of this information was not made availble at any time to the CMWG who where directed by the auDA CEO Cameron Boardman to work exclusively on membership models.... but only models auDA themselves seem to want...

Blatant vote and membership rigging and a F YOU to the CMWG, Government , ACCC and .au domain name Consumers

www.Grumpier.com.au
Resolution 1 – Vote of no confidence in Cameron Boardman (CEO)
Resolution 2 – Removal of Chris Leptos as a Director
Resolution 3 – Removal of Sandra Hook as a Director
Resolution 4 – Removal of Suzanne Ewart as a Director

 

[DomainNames]

https://www.accc.gov.au/business/anti-competitive-behaviour/cartels

Turn up your speakers, watch and listen..

 

[Scott.L]

Tim, assuming the Board already knows about this problem, why are you and the Board approving New applicants as Members?

Membership stacking resulted from the constitutions limited capacity to curtail Stacking. Accordingly, The Board is composed of members of both persuasions [Supply and Demand] which lends itself to a bias through exploiting the Constitutions known loophole. And yet, it continues under these circumstances, even after a Government Review also identified the problem.

Government Review:


No New member should be accepted after April 7th.
[it should be Tuesday, 13 February 2018 that was the Last date which the public minutes published the names of those approved by the Board as members]

 

[snoopy]

Tim, assuming the Board already knows about this problem, why are you and the Board approving New applicants as Members?

Membership stacking resulted from the constitutions limited capacity to curtail Stacking. Accordingly, The Board is composed of members of both persuasions [Supply and Demand] which lends itself to a bias through exploiting the Constitutions known loophole. And yet, it continues under these circumstances, even after a Government Review also identified the problem.

Let's remember there is now only 1-2 genuine demand people on the board. I have no idea what happened in the meeting but Tim would be powerless to stop it.

No New member should be accepted after April 7th.
[it should be Tuesday, 13 February 2018 that was the Last date which the public minutes published the names of those approved by the Board as members]

Agree, it should have just been closed off to memberships given the problem was clearly cited in the government review. The board has made a mockery of those government findings in allowing a ramp up in membership stacking/demand class capture.

 

[Scott.L]

Tim would be powerless to stop it.

Really? 24.1.

auDA has attracted a record 955 new members this month in response to the Federal Government’s Review of the .au namespace.

https://www.auda.org.au/news/new-auda-members/

the Government review did not say that auDA must increase Member numbers; ....Broadening membership & Membership under-representation doesn't mean 'more people' it simply means 'Membership Diversification'

 

[DomainNames]

Demand Memberships paid by Supply for their staff
No auDA checking of the applications
Over 300 fake members
Lots of Philippine call centre staff signed up and paid for by their employer

 

[snoopy]

Lots of Philippine call centre staff signed up by their employer and paid for.

Has this been confirmed?

If true it sounds like a national security nightmare given a foreign government or corporation could potentially get favourable people on the board.

 

[DomainNames]

how many staff signed up from Supply? Was it over 98% of the new auDA Members?

1. Afilias
2. Dreamscape Crazy Domains
   
3. ARQ Melbourne IT Group Netregistry etc
   
4. Ventra IP / Synergy Wholesale
5. 300 + Fake / Non existent people or entities
   
6. Ukraine members?? https://www.dreamscapenetworks.com/contact/
   
7. Cebu Philippines members ?? https://www.dreamscapenetworks.com/contact/

 

[DomainNames]

Has this been confirmed?

If true it sounds like a national security nightmare given a foreign government or corporation could potentially get favourable people on the board.

https://www.dreamscapenetworks.com/contact/
Ukraine
Cebu Philippines

• 
  Australia
  47 Bourke Rd
  Alexandria, NSW
  P: +61 2 9037 2826
• 
  Singapore
  3 Irving Road #09-01
  Singapore 369522
  P: +65 6914 7880
• 
  Philippines
  Lvl 12 & 14 Mindanao Cor
  Biliran Rd, Cebu
  P: +63 32 260 5052
  F: +63 32 260 5052
• 
  UAE
  Suite 211, DIC, Building 11, Dubai Internet City
  P: +971 4 457 2417
  F: +971 4 457 2417
• 
  Ukraine
  8 Illinska Street,
  Kiev
  P: +380 44 232 03 65
  F: +380 44 238 87 50

Why would their overseas staff want to sign up as auDA Members?
How much per hour are they paid?
Would a Cebu or Ukraine staff member really want to spend a days salary joining auDA who they had never even heard of?

What other overseas people have been signed up by Supply parties? Ireland, UAE, USA, China....

Great for Australian Critical Infrastructure?

Could they get an overseas person voted onto the auDA Board?

Could they influence auDA Policy?

Could they as a group influence any pricing?