Internet Society of Australia
A Chapter of the Internet Society
ACN 076 406 801
Vision
The Internet is for Everyone!
Objective
ISOC-AU supports the best possible Internet for Australian users. We
stand for an Internet:
- that is easy to use
- where access is available to all
- where people are encouraged to communicate and can cooperate openly
- where new communities of interest can form
- where privacy is protected
- where industry supports and contributes to users requirements
- where control over what information is sent or received is available
to users
ISOC-AU is dedicated to maintaining Internet integrity by continually
monitoring and striving for:
- effective standards of administration of systems and resources, such
as addressing, naming, security and connectivity
- ethical and cooperative standards of usage
- research relating to the Internet and internetworking
- sensitive government intervention where appropriate
Values
ISOC-AU is an independent organisation free of domination by sectional
interests. It is best able to present a view that reflects the concerns
of all Australian users of the Internet both as individual people, and
corporate entities. ISOC-AU has interests covering the full range of
Internet related issues including hardware, protocols, software, social
and economic implications.
As a chapter of the global Internet Society, ISOC-AU is committed to
ensuring that Australia is part of the global Internet community and
that there is a strong Australian identity on the Internet and an
effective role for Australia in cooperative global governance of the
Internet.
ISOC-AU is committed to development of the Internet in a responsible and
sustainable way that considers the impact on the environment and on
future generations.
ISOC-AU believes that the greatest value of the Internet is that it is a
mesh that permits all users to partake and contribute. It is not a
one-way feed of information from any particular interest group. The
Internet is much more than a broadcast medium because it allows
interaction and valuable input to flow between all users connected to
it.
How will ISOC-AU help people to benefit from the Internet?
ISOC-AU will:
1. provide broad-based representation of the views of Australian
Internet users
2. enable effective use of the Internet by individuals, groups, and
organisations
3. promote the availability of access to the Internet for all
Australians
4. work with other Australian Internet-focused organisations for common
goals
5. foster the community's understanding of ethical and cooperative usage
standards
6. foster effective standards of Internet resource administration
7. promote and conducting research relating to the Internet and
internetworking
8. further develop relationships with the international Internet
community
What has ISOC-AU achieved already?
ISOC-AU's submission to government on the Broadcasting Services
Amendment (Online Services) Act was one of the voices that advised that
supplier content filtering would fail and would be damaging to growth of
the Internet in Australia. In response, the government moved away from
supplier content filtering and allowed for an industry self regulation
code. The draft code of practice gives users access to the full
Internet and the option of Internet filtering appropriate to their
needs.
ISOC-AU's submission to government on how to use the Internet to enhance
participation in the democratic processes of Australia.
In cooperation with other Internet groups, ISOC-AU is helping to develop
an improved domain name registration and management process in Australia
through the new .au domain administration company: auDA.
ISOC-AU is the Australian users' voice in the global Internet society
and key international forums.
What does ISOC-AU want to achieve?
1. Establishment of ISOC-AU as a meeting place for people to develop
their community of interest through the Internet.
2. A solid operational and financial base for the Australian domain name
registration process through auDA.
3. Repeal of the BSA, or at minimum to see user- and industry-recommended
changes to it.
4. Access to the full Internet by users, without censorship or mandatory
classification by intermediate agencies, allowing adult users to take
responsibility for their own actions, tastes and compliance with the
law.
5. A forum for Internet businesses to meet and cooperate with each
other, within the Society mission of providing benefit to Internet
users.
6. Monitor and advise on technical and social aspects of the Internet.
7. Assist government to improve their Internet policy development.
8. Enhanced business use of the Internet to increase Australia's
prosperity.
9. Provide unbiased information to assist new Internet users in
selecting support and training.
10. Continued access to untimed local calls for Internet access in
Australia.
11. Research to provide the technical means for increased Internet
bandwidth within Australian and between Australia and other countries.
12. Support for all reasonable uses of the Internet without unnecessary
restriction.
Who are ISOC-AU Existing and Potential Members?
The members of ISOC-AU are committed to having a voice in governance
forums and with the Australian government. They are technically skilled
and are able to contribute up to date information on Internet
operations, content and policy. The enormous increase in Internet use
by households, small and medium sized business and regional users
provides a potential membership base for ISOC-AU which is likely to
require up-to-date information on Internet operations, content and
policy as well as effective technical support.
Key businesses and organisations are sponsors of ISOC-AU. Potential
new members of ISOC-AU could come from amalgamation with existing
Internet associations. We are in the process of creating new
membership arrangements so that organisations and businesses may join in
order to further our goals of cooperative Internet development for the
benefit of all users.
What organisations will ISOC-AU work with?
Organisations with common goals and an interest in development of the
Internet in Australia, including:
Internet Industry Association (IIA)
Australian Information Industries Association (AIIA)
Australian Electrical Equipment Manufacturers Association (AEEMA)
Australian Telecommunications Industry Association (ATIA)
Australian Interactive Multimedia Industry Association (AIMIA)
Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF)
Australian Telecommunications User Group (ATUG)
Internet Associations (eg WAIA, SAIA)
Australian Computer Society (ACS)
Computer User Groups (eg PCUG)
Australian Consumers Association (ACA)
Electronic Frontiers Association (EFA)
.au Domain Administration (auDA)
System Administrators Guild of Australia (SAGE-AU)
Australian Unix and Open Systems Users Group (AUUG)
Australian Academic and Research Network (AARNet Pty Ltd)
and any other organisation that is willing and able to work with ISOC-AU
towards our common goals
| Tony Hill Executive Director |
| ed@isoc-au.org.au Internet Society of Australia (ISOC-AU) |
| Tel +61 2 6257 5544 PO Box 152 |
| Mobile 041 212 8755 Civic Square ACT 2608 Australia |
| Fax +61 2 6257 5544 www.isoc-au.org.au |
| The Internet is for Everyone! |