Application for a new 2LD - parliament.nz Submission

From:		Alick Wilson
Received:	24 March 2005


I submit that the application for parliament.nz fails to meet the criteria 
required for a new 2LD, and specifically: 

* 'Represents an identifiable, significant community of interest; where 
'significant' can mean either quantitatively or qualitatively and the 
community of interest can be defined in a clear written statement' 

I believe that in the minds of most citizens parliament and government are 
intertwined and not easily separately identifiable. All the print directories 
that I am aware of include parliament as a part of government. For example, 
page 39 of the Wellington 2004/05 White Pages has 'Your front door to 
government online www.govt.nz' and the following pages include both 
parliamentary and government agencies. 

In my opinion, the written statement provided in the application does not 
clearly define parliament versus government. It might be adequate for a well 
educated citizen; it is not adequate for many. 

I had a quick look and was unable to find any 3rd level addresses under the 
2LD parliament.uk. All addresses I could find were subdirectories of the 
2LD, i.e. www.parliament.uk/something. I believe that 3LD domains 
(2LD subdomains) might represent an identifiable, significant community of 
interest but subdirectories of a 2LD do not. 

* 'Represents an on-going and long-lived community of interest' 

As above. 

* 'Does not conflict with, duplicate or cause confusion about, any 
existing 2LD, and is a useful addition to the current DNS hierarchy' 

The application says that 'This name space is consistent with the naming 
conventions used in the United Kingdom where the www.parliament.uk URL is 
used by Parliament as the primary address.' I believe that parliament.nz 
will cause confusion with parliament.govt.nz which is already in use. 

I believe that a 2LD with no 3LDs is not a useful addition to the current 
DNS hierarchy. 

* Uses a name to represent the domain that is a obvious derivative of a word 
that properly describes the community of interest or a complete word' 

As above. 

On the information provided, then, I suggest that the status quo, namely 
parliament.govt.nz should continue as the primary address for Parliament and 
the application should be declined. 

If the application is not summarily declined, I suggest the applicant should 
be required to provide 

* a clear statement authorised by both parliament and government (I'm not 
clear what agencies) defining a clear communications strategy (including print 
media, electronic media and multimedia) for the separation of government and 
parliament 

* a satisfactory plan as to how and when parliament and government will be 
separated in print and online directories, particularly the telephone 
directories 

* a satisfactory plan as to how and when other print and online material will 
show clearly the distinction between parliament and government 

* a satisfactory plan for 3LD naming for both parliament.nz and 
parliament.govt.nz which makes clear the distinction between parliament and 
government agencies and how and where to find them.