The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan has welcomed the decision by Internet domain name body, ICANN, to stop the .xxx domain for adult content.

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan has welcomed the decision by Internet domain name body, ICANN, to stop the .xxx domain for adult content.

Senator Coonan said the government had previously expressed opposition to the creation of the .xxx domain through representations made to ICANN’s Governmental Advisory Committee.

“This is a positive outcome that has prevented the creation of a domain that could have acted as a haven for illegal and offensive content.”

According to Coonan, an Australian Online Content Scheme was established in 2000, banning X and RC rated content from being hosted in Australia.

A complaints-based mechanism under Schedule 5 in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 was also established.

Internet Service Providers and Internet Content Hosts are also regulated through enforceable industry codes of practice that are developed by the Internet Industry Association and registered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), said Coonan.

An audit of the top ISPs conducted by ACMA at the Minister’s request and released today showed high levels of compliance with current industry codes.