A WA parliamentary question inquires about the policy on website domain name purchases for government entities and the rationale behind using non-WA Government domains. The Premier's response indicates no specific policy exists and justifies the use of alternative domains for increased visibility and branding, citing examples.

AnsweredQoN 1397Legislative Assembly
Asked
16 August 2006
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Is there a policy or set of guidelines regarding the purchase of website domain names?
(a) If so, what is it?
(2) Is there a reason why all website domains by Government departments and agencies do not automatically go through the WA Government domain?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
12 September 2006
Response time
27 days
(a) Not applicable. (2) Some WA Government departments and agencies do not automatically go through the WA Government domain because other domain names such as . com.au and .com may provide greater visibility on the Internet at large where there is a particular branding requirement. Those State Government websites that use such alternative domains are usually also accessible through the wa.gov.au domain. The use of such multiple domain names to provide greater business visibility on the Internet is a widely accepted business practice. Examples of this are: Small Business Development Corporation - www.sbdc.wa.gov.au and www.sbdc.com.au point to the same website Rottnest Island Authority - www.rottnest.wa.gov.au and www.rottnestisland.com point to the same website Western Australian Tourism Commission - www.tourism.wa.gov.au and www.westernaustralia.com point to the same website.
(2) Some WA Government departments and agencies do not automatically go through the WA Government domain because other domain names such as . com.au and .com may provide greater visibility on the Internet at large where there is a particular branding requirement. Those State Government websites that use such alternative domains are usually also accessible through the wa.gov.au domain. The use of such multiple domain names to provide greater business visibility on the Internet is a widely accepted business practice. Examples of this are: Small Business Development Corporation - www.sbdc.wa.gov.au and www.sbdc.com.au point to the same website Rottnest Island Authority - www.rottnest.wa.gov.au and www.rottnestisland.com point to the same website Western Australian Tourism Commission - www.tourism.wa.gov.au and www.westernaustralia.com point to the same website.
Examples of this are: Small Business Development Corporation - www.sbdc.wa.gov.au and www.sbdc.com.au point to the same website Rottnest Island Authority - www.rottnest.wa.gov.au and www.rottnestisland.com point to the same website Western Australian Tourism Commission - www.tourism.wa.gov.au and www.westernaustralia.com point to the same website.
Small Business Development Corporation - www.sbdc.wa.gov.au and www.sbdc.com.au point to the same website Rottnest Island Authority - www.rottnest.wa.gov.au and www.rottnestisland.com point to the same website Western Australian Tourism Commission - www.tourism.wa.gov.au and www.westernaustralia.com point to the same website.
Rottnest Island Authority - www.rottnest.wa.gov.au and www.rottnestisland.com point to the same website Western Australian Tourism Commission - www.tourism.wa.gov.au and www.westernaustralia.com point to the same website.
Western Australian Tourism Commission - www.tourism.wa.gov.au and www.westernaustralia.com point to the same website.

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