This month marks the 24th year of operation of WA-IX, our first internet exchange. Still going strong, and now operating out of six different data centres in Perth after its humble beginnings in QV1. Were you one of the early adopters? We’d love to send you a thank you if you were! We have some lovely mouse mats showing our expansion in all its glory. Email admin@internet.asn.au and tell us your origin story at WA-IX.
Another successful online event done and dusted in 2021! Our global panel of experts shared their thoughts and insights on internet regulation and its ability to protect users against cyber-attacks, unlawful access to data, and online content. The discussion also included current legislation pitfalls, the intersection with human rights, helpful insights about what this could all mean for our members, and a simple summation that, “we are trying to regulate nationally, into a global communications network.”
If you weren’t able to make it, we have you covered! All events are livestreamed and can be found on our website, Facebook page and YouTube channels.
We would like to extend our gratitude to our panellists, Patrick Fair, Lucie Krahulcova, Jordan Carter, and Konstantinos Komaitis for taking the time to join us, sharing their valuable expertise and insights – making the event highly valuable and engaging.
We would also like to thank those who attended and provided feedback. Your feedback is valuable to us to ensure we continue to provide events that add value to you and your business.
Congratulations to our lucky door prize winner, Andrew Cox. We hope you enjoy your new IAA mouse mat and masks!
The Internet Association of Australia Inc (IAA) would like to thank all members who have participated in our consultation on whether to transition to a company limited by guarantee. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
The IAA Board remains in favour of the transition and it has resolved to convene the Special General Meeting referred to below.
The Board of the Internet Association of Australia Inc hereby gives notice of a Special General Meeting to give members the opportunity to vote on the two (2) special resolutions set out below in connection with the proposal to transition IAA’s registration (association number A1004987S) from an incorporated Association under the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 (WA) to a company limited by guarantee under Part 5B.1 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
Special General Meeting
Date: Wednesday 28 July 2021
Time: 3:00pm AWST / 5:00pm AEST
Location: Arnotts Technology Lawyers of Level 2, 151 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000. Members may attend in person or via Zoom (Video Conference)
Link for Zoom registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/IAASGM
The following resolutions will be proposed as special resolutions at the Special General Meeting:
1. Lodgement of application for registration. Members are asked to consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution as a special resolution:
That in view of the dispersed and Australia-wide nature of the operations of the Internet Association of Australia Inc (registration number A1004987S), an application be made in accordance with section 93 of the Associations Incorporation Act 2015 (WA) and regulation 14 of the Associations Incorporation Regulations 2016 (WA) for it to apply for registration as a prescribed body corporate under Part 5B.1 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and an application be made under Part 5B.1 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) for the Internet Association of Australia Inc to apply for registration as a company limited by guarantee with the proposed name of “Internet Association of Australia Ltd”.
2. Approve a constitution for the company. Members are asked to consider and, if thought fit, pass the following resolution as a special resolution:
That the constitution, tabled at the special general meeting of the Internet Association of Australia Inc held on 28 July 2021 and initialled by the chair of the special general meeting for the purpose of identification (a copy of which was attached to the notice of the special general meeting), be approved for adoption as the constitution of the company “Internet Association of Australia Ltd”, with the adoption of the constitution to take effect subject to and from when the Australian Securities and Investments Commission registers the company under Part 5B.1 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), at which point the constitution shall completely replace the existing rules of the Internet Association of Australia Inc and which shall cease to apply from that date.
Hyperlink to proposed Constitution: https://www.internet.asn.au/IAA-Ltd-proposed-Constitution-2021.pdf
Members may vote on the above special resolutions in one of the following ways:
A copy of Rule 50 is available at the following hyperlink: https://www.internet.asn.au/IAA-Rules.pdf
Please review your voting contact information in the portal to ensure this information is up to date.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please email secretary@internet.asn.au.
Non-Discrimination Guidelines
Non-discrimination provisions are important for ensuring a fair and competitive telecommunications sector. We recently sent through a submission on the ACCC’s proposed Non-Discrimination Guidelines, derived from the Telecommunications Act 1997 and Competition and Consumer Act 2010. In our submission, we support the concept of non-discrimination provisions but note that exemptions (such as the creditworthiness test) can be used as a mechanism to unfairly discriminate against smaller access seekers. We also recommended a more reader-centric and accessible structure to the guidelines, so the document is less complex and more easily understood.
ACCC Roundtable on the SAU
IAA was invited to participate in the ACCC and NBN Co roundtable which kickstarted the process to develop a revised long-term regulatory framework for the NBN. The existing Special Access Undertaking (SAU) was established in 2013 and only covers fibre-to-the-premises services. A key focus of the roundtable discussion was on price and revenue controls, specifically the current CVC pricing model.
NBN Co proposed three new pricing constructs:
Other proposed changes include incorporating the Multi-Technology Mix (MTM) within the SAU.
The ACCC raised potential measures guided by access arrangements supporting competitive retail service offerings, cost certainty to access seekers and reasonable opportunity for access providers to recoup costs and earn a return on investment. Potential measures the ACCC raised are similar to NBN Co’s new pricing constructs. Options include access provided at a fixed monthly price, access provided in product bundles in which CVC inclusions increase and/or CVC overage charges decrease regularly, or a combination of both. They also noted that measures ensuring cost certainty should not be undermined by overdependence on discounting practices. A minimum technical quality of service, such as a specified maximum tolerance for speed reductions and/or higher latency during busy hours should also potentially be considered.
We are eager to hear insights on which pricing construct members prefer and the impact they envision of each option on their speed tier mix, volume, product differentiation and operational processes. If you would like to learn more about the proposed pricing constructs or express your thoughts to guide our response, please reach out to policy@internet.asn.au.
Online Safety Bill – Industry Codes
The Online Safety Bill recently passed the Australian senate, which means it will become law within the next six months or so. The Bill establishes processes to force social media companies, internet service providers and hosting providers to act on removal notices regarding harmful content within 24 hours (instead of 48). The eSafety Commissioner is also provided with increased powers to require blocking URLs linking to abhorrent and/or violent material. Concerns have been raised about the range of powers provided to the eSafety Commissioner and the expansive coverage of the online service providers covered by the Act. Development of industry code(s) which foster a safe and transparent online environment as a part of the Bill is currently underway. IAA is actively engaging with the eSafety Office, online service providers and other industry associations to review this process.
We are happy to announce our newest place of residence, the new space for our Greater Sydney (apparently that’s a place now) team to call home during the week. Located at Suite 1.05, 150 Pacific Highway North Sydney we will be happy to welcome members once movement across Sydney is re-established. Any members who need a space to work with friendly geeks or just want to swing by are welcome, though currently it’s best to pre-arrange a drop in on ceo@internet.asn.au
The 5th Annual DigitalGov and Cloud Conference taking place on 20-22 July 2021 in Sydney co-locates two of Akolade’s best-attended conferences that map the narrative around digital service delivery and further integration with cloud platforms. This three-day physical conference showcases practical case studies featuring frontline government agencies that are leading the charge on citizen engagement and innovation. Hear from 30+ public sector digital, cloud, big data, security, and service delivery leaders share their insights to help you unlock the power of digital and cloud platforms for government service delivery.
Our very own Narelle Clark will be presenting at the event and covering the topic of making your digital journey a success. You can be guaranteed that peering will be mentioned.
All IAA members are eligible for a 20% discount off standard conference entry rates. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please contact our admin team on admin@internet.asn.au to obtain your discount code.
We are excited to announce a sponsored training program for women to attend AusNOG this year. Sponsorship includes a targeted training session that will cover presentation skills, career planning and a technical topic of the attendees choice taking place on the day immediately preceding AusNOG. Complimentary conference admission provided by AusNOG, interstate flights, three nights accommodation and a year’s membership of IAA (subject to board approval) will be included. Applications opening soon and should address the selection criteria. Applications close 30 July 2021.
The IAASysters@AusNOG Program is proudly brought to you with the help of our sponsors.
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