Industry has welcomed the Federal Government's move to introduce legislation to Parliament to establish a mandatory scheme for the sharing of vehicle service and repair information.
“VACC thanks its national body, the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA), for its strong representation over a long period of time, along with the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, Australian Automotive Dealer Association, and Australian Automobile Association, which have all worked collaboratively for the good of motorists and the broader industry,” said VACC CEO, Geoff Gwilym.
The ground-breaking legislation will see car manufacturers required to make the service and repair information of their vehicles available for purchase – at a fair rate – by independent repairers and registered training organisations.
“We need a strong service and repair industry to keep Australia’s 19.8 million vehicles on the road. Currently, around one in ten vehicles taken to repair workshops in Australia are affected by a lack of access to service and repair information. In Europe and the United States, similar schemes are delivering lower repair and maintenance costs for consumers,” said Assistant Treasurer, Michael Sukkar.
On behalf of its state-based bodies, including VACC, MTAA has voiced its approval and acknowledgment that the government is fulfilling an election commitment to act on a recommendation from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
"MTAA investigated the European Union legislation, analysed the United States solution, and with AAAA used our reach into these and other jurisdictions and kindred organisations to help identify potential solutions to a complex issue. However, the introduction of the legislation would not have been possible without the Government's commitment to act on the ACCC's recommendation and the drive of Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar and his Department to make it happen," said MTAA CEO, Richard Dudley.
The move is a big step forward for Australia's nearly 35,000 automotive service and repair businesses, as well as their over 106,000 employees, and is the result of tireless lobbying and research by peak industry bodies.
“VACC looks forward to the legislation passing through Parliament and the scheme coming into effect from 1 July 2022,” said Mr Gwilym.
For more information
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