The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has strongly welcomed the announcement by the Board of Treasurers that Right to Repair for agricultural machinery is a key element of national competition policy reforms.
On Friday afternoon, Federal, State and Territory Treasurers agreed to sign the 10-year Intergovernmental Agreement on National Competition Policy. Their post-meeting media release specifically acknowledged that the fast-tracked adoption of international product safety standards was a key first step towards delivering broader Right to Repair reforms, especially in agriculture and farming.
NFF President David Jochinke said while the NFF would continue to push the Government to get a legislative Right to Repair implemented, Friday’s specific acknowledgment from all governments on the importance of this for agriculture and farming was an important step forward.
Mr Jochinke said “While there’s still a lot more to be done, the NFF and its members have worked hard to ensure that agricultural Right to Repair is viewed as a key element of competition reform. Friday’s announcement is a welcome acknowledgement of this”.
“We strongly believe there is a sensible solution that provides a greater ability for farmers to engage qualified professionals to undertake appropriate machinery repairs without the fear of voiding warranties or waiting excessive periods to access mandated dealer networks.”
GrainGrowers Manager of Advocacy and Rural Affairs, Sean Cole, said acknowledgement of the importance of this issue by the Treasurers would be welcome news to Australia’s Grain Growers.
Mr Cole said “We have worked hard in recent times alongside the NFF to outline the impact that right to repair issues can have on agricultural businesses”.
“One only needs to look at the impacts of the weather events of the last week on harvests across the eastern states to recognise the potential impact that the inability to get machinery up and running can have on producers.”
“Any progress towards a right to repair for agricultural machinery would not only align with the recommendations from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Productivity Commission and right to repair academics, but would also bring Australia in line with our international competitors such as Canada and the state of Colorado in the United States, where right to repair is now law.”
The announcement was similarly welcomed by NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin, who said “At the moment, farmers are locked in to getting services and repairs done only by authorised dealers and agents, which adds extra costs to farm businesses”.
Mr Martin said he understood why that system had come about, but it wasn’t the best way forward for agricultural productivity in Australia.
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