7 years ago
TAKE THE WHEEL, MALCOLM
ANDREW LEIGH MP
The ACCC has backed Labor’s recommendations to ensure Australia’s new car retailing industry isn’t shutting out independent mechanics and forcing up prices for motorists.
In its draft report issued this week, the ACCC states that independent repairers must be provided with access to the same technical information which car manufacturers make available to their authorised dealers and preferred repairer networks.
As I wrote in April:
Whether you own a Toyota Corolla or a Ford Ranger, everyone should be able to choose whether to get their car serviced by the dealership or an independent mechanic…
Yet while Australians overpay for their car services and local mechanics shut up shop, the Turnbull Government has been reluctant to act.
Malcolm Turnbull’s team promised to review the voluntary code by September 2016, but failed to do so. They also promised to review the voluntary code by October 2016. Again, the deadline came and went without action.
With the ACCC joining Labor in calling for a fairer system, surely the time to act is now?
Don’t continue to sleep at the wheel, Malcolm Turnbull. The nation’s 21,000 independent car repairers deserve a response.