Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

At the request of Senator Marielle Smith, I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) for many years there has been a lack of access for independent repairers to digital files and codes needed for repair or service of vehicles, limiting competition in the sector between international automakers and Australia's independent repair and service sector,

  (ii) prior to the 2019 election, Federal Labor announced its policy for a mandatory code to be established to mandate access for independent repairers to service and repair information,

  (iii) in February 2019, the Federal Government released a consultation paper which indicated it would implement a mandatory code in 2019,

  (iv) the Government is still yet to release a draft mandatory code for public consultation,

  (v) the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has already confirmed that the Government's inaction on data-sharing among mechanics is costing Australian drivers over one billion dollars each year, and

  (vi) the Government's inaction is hurting the 30,000 local repairers who have been patiently waiting for the proposed mandatory code to be implemented; and

(b) calls on the Government to implement a mandatory code by the end of 2020.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Sue Lines (WA, Deputy-President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government is committed to a competitive automotive sector in Australia. We want to make sure we have a level playing field for all participants: repairers, consumers, dealers and manufacturers. This includes making sure independent repairers have fair access to the information they need to do their job, and the government is actively considering the design of a mandatory scheme and how it might operate, taking into account the issues and perspectives raised by businesses and consumers during the consultation.

Question agreed to.