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MEDIA RELEASE: 12 February 2019
The Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) Limited, representing thousands of automotive businesses and tens of thousands of Australians employed in automotive industries, today welcomed the Government’s announced commitment to develop and implement a mandated Code of Conduct to guarantee access to car manufacturer’s service, repair information and technical data.
MTAA said the release of a consultation paper outlining principals and key elements of a proposed Code of Conduct is a positive step in the right direction, but reiterated that there must be an increased sense of urgency to implement the regulatory solution.
The decision to implement a Mandated Code of Conduct fulfills a recommendation of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to implement ‘a scheme’ to guarantee consumers and all repairers access to essential car manufacturer information, allowing consumers greater capacity to exercise freedom of choice on who services and repairs their vehicle.
‘While we welcome this commitment, we are disappointed that after yet another 12 months of investigations; following an initial 12 month investigation by the ACCC; the proposed Code of Conduct is not further advanced or indeed implemented’ MTAA said.
‘The automotive sector is integral to the mobility and connectivity of all Australians. It employs over 370,000 individuals directly through more than 65,000 businesses, contributing over $37b to the national economy. Regulatory intervention in the form of a Code of Conduct must not advantage or disadvantage any service provider over another but ensure consumer choice and a level playing field for all automotive sector industry participants. If done correctly then there should be benefits for dealers, independent mechanical repairers and other repair providers, as well as consumers,’ MTAA said.
As the only peak automotive sector organisations to represent dealers, independent service providers, repairers, and dismantlers / recyclers, and other auto industries and professions, MTAA and State and Territory Members have advocated to ensure any regulatory solution takes into account the needs of all automotive businesses and consumers and has undertaken extensive investigations into potential solutions including those already operation overseas.
MTAA said it looked forward to contributing to a fast resolution of outstanding issues and implementation of the Code.
‘The automotive sector, its industries, and the 25 million Australians who are dependent on it, need these improvements made as a matter of urgency,’ MTAA said.
MEDIA CONTACT: Richard Dudley, CEO MTAA Limited 0412 146 828.
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