> Members of the community raised concerns about this process (eg Margaret
> River) and the industry acknowledged that the ballot process was the fairest
> system available (which I agree with). To find out at this point in the
> process that there are 2 entities (see earlier thread) that have secured
> some of the most well-known names in the country, suggests that the process
> was somehow taken advantage of, despite the efforts of the industry to limit
> opportunities for scammers. What is worse, is that members of the industry
> were then contacted by unsolicited email seeking their interest in
> "partnering" in the development of the very domains secured in this process
> that was designed to be fair.

Basically, the entire ballot process turned out to be a complete farce
and embarassment.

Considering the Geographic Names were once protected, I am
exceptionally disappointed at how things panned out.

Michael.