Whenever someone asks me whether they should buy an .com or a .com.au, I mention the public perception of .com.au being relatively free of spam and crap. This is because you need to be based in Australia to buy one, because they cost more, and because they cannot easily be re-sold or transferred. It’s a stamp of quality, a badge of honour.

Melbourne IT, the big for-profit company (was originally a non-profit org, part of Melbourne Uni, and several directors quit in disgust when they decided to go the IPO route), is not happy with AUDA’s plan to loosen the rules - in fact I’m surprised it’s not the corporate business wanting the change, not the governing body.