New legislation protects drivers
In great news for motorists, ground-breaking legislation to mandate the provision of motor vehicle service and repair information to Australian automotive workshops has passed the Senate.
This world-leading legislation fulfills a government commitment for a mandatory scheme. It compels vehicle manufacturers to share technical service and repair information with all qualified Australian repairers from 1 July next year.
Work is already underway to assist the Treasury Department in designing information-sharing scheme rules.
Peak automotive organisations (including VACC), manufacturers, information providers, and the Department will work collaboratively to finalise the rules, mechanisms, and processes to implement the scheme smoothly in 2022.
I congratulate the Morrison Government, notably the Assistant Treasurer and Housing Minister, Michael Sukkar, for championing and seeing the legislation through.
Minister Sukkar recognised the need for a practical solution and persisted despite sometimes seemingly insurmountable odds.
Our policy leadership is again highlighted as one of the few global jurisdictions to legislate a fair and balanced outcome for consumers and automotive businesses.
The passage of the legislation through the Senate culminates a decade-long odyssey of trial and error, voluntary agreements, inquiries and investigations, submissions, advocacy representation and finally a recommendation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2017 for a mandated solution.
Automotive service and repair businesses will have strengthened rights to repair Australia's 20 million-strong fleet by accessing service and repair information from manufacturers and data providers at reasonable prices.
Motorists will also know their chosen repairer has access to critical service and repair information.
Words: VACC CEO, Geoff Gwilym. As featured in the Herald Sun 9 July 2021.
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