Senator the Hon Zed Seselja

Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance, Zed Seselja, today released a consultation paper on a proposal to support small businesses across the country, while putting downward pressure on the cost of vehicle repairs, and ensuring the best deal for families when getting their car repaired.

“Mandating the sharing of service and repair information with the over 30,000 local repairers across the country will create a level playing field between the large repairers associated with manufacturers, and the small, independent repairers run by hardworking Australians,” Assistant Minister Seselja said.

“It is important Australians have a genuine choice about where they get their car repaired. Whether it’s at a dealership or at their local mechanic, they want to know that they’re getting their car serviced safely, efficiently, and at a competitive price,” Assistant Minister Seselja said.

“The Liberal-National Government is committed to ensuring Australians get the best deal when getting their car serviced, and that all vehicle repairers have a fair opportunity to access the information they need to do their job safely,” Assistant Minister Seselja said.

“Industry representatives all agree that something needs to be done to ensure fair sharing of service and repair information, while protecting vehicle safety and security.”

“The Government wants to ensure that stakeholders are engaged in designing the detail of the Code and providing feedback on its ongoing implementation.”

The consultation paper outlines how a Mandatory Code could operate to ensure that all repairers would have access to the same information on fair and reasonable terms. It would also protect information that relates to the safety and security of vehicles, meaning only appropriately qualified people can access the information.

Feedback is also welcome on the suitability of elements of a Mandatory Code of Conduct and the proposal to establish a Service and Repair Information Sharing Advisory Committee to provide advice on the development of the Code and potential updates and improvements to it.

The consultation paper is available at treasury.gov.au/consultation. Submissions close 5:00pm Monday 11 March 2019.