The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan has welcomed the decision by the Internet's governing body ICANN to scrap plans for an adult-orientated top level domain.

Almost a year ago, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) reversed an earlier decision and said it would go ahead with plans to introduce a porn-friendly top level domain (.xxx). However, on Thursday the non-profit organisation made yet another u-turn and dropped the idea again.

Last month, Coonan's dislike of an .xxx domain prompted her to send a letter of protect to ICANN. It is unclear if that letter affected ICANN's decision but the Senator welcomed the conclusion regardless.

"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," said Coonan in a statement. The Australian Government had previously expressed our opposition to the creation of an .xxx domain through representations made to ICANN's Governmental Advisory Committee by my Department".

According to Coonan, an .xxx domain would have led to "an increase in pornography on the Internet".

"The Government is serious about cracking down on illegal and offensive material on the Internet and I am looking at ways in which we can continue to help families, children and consumers have a safer Internet experience," the Senator added.