Australia is moving to give independent aftermarket service providers access to repair and service information.

In late March, the Australian Parliament introduced legislation to mandate access to motor vehicle service and repair information.

The legislation, which has yet to be enacted into law, but is expected to.

It fulfils a government election commitment to act on a recommendation from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for a mandatory scheme, compelling car manufacturers to share technical service and repair information with all Australian repairers.

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association CEO Stuart Charity, and Motor Trades Association of Australia Limited CEO Richard Dudley, say the legislation is ground-breaking.

It captures and improves the critical elements of existing international legislation and regulation, provides an Australian market-based legislative solution with operational guidance and the automotive sector’s ongoing involvement, they affirmed in a statement.

“The ACCC Market Study into New Car Retailing confirmed a market failure requiring government intervention to ensure consumer choice and competition,” Charity said.

“AAAA and MTAA advocated solutions to address a clear power imbalance that prevented fair and equitable competition because car manufacturers withheld critical motor vehicle service and repair information.

“Withholding information created barriers to consumers exercising their right to choose a repairer, and for professional qualified mechanics and repairers, the ability to complete a repair,” Charity said.

MTAA CEO Richard Dudley says the MTAA and AAAA worked with the Australian Government, the Treasury Department, other portfolios, and other automotive sector organizations in a decade long journey of inquiries and a failed industry-led voluntary solution.

“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,” added Dudley.

Charity and Dudley said they encouraged all Parliamentarians to provide bipartisan support for the passage of the legislation through Parliament and its timely enactment.