A $400 million annual investment to advance ‘right to repair’ (R2R) has been welcomed by industry bodies as a means of creating a competitive and consumer-friendly repair landscape.

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) said it has enthusiastically welcomed the announcement by federal treasurer Jim Chalmers of the investment that builds on the landmark R2R legislation, the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing law of 2021.

AAAA CEO Stuart Charity said the new commitment “marks a pivotal step in creating a truly competitive and consumer-friendly repair landscape across all sectors.”

“This announcement is a tremendous boost to consumer rights, business efficiency, and national productivity,” he said.“The Motor Vehicle Service and Repair law transformed the automotive sector by guaranteeing independent access to essential repair information, and now this federal investment will broaden those benefits. 

“A robust R2R framework increases productivity by reducing repair wait times, cutting down costs, and encouraging a dynamic marketplace that drives efficiency and innovation.”

Treasurer Chalmers’ initiative aligns with a larger strategy to drive productivity gains through collaboration with state and territory governments. 

In his upcoming meeting with state and territory counterparts on November 29, Mr Chalmers plans to discuss key R2R reforms alongside adopting trusted international product safety standards. 

The AAAA said that these reforms are projected to deliver significant economic benefits, including an estimated $400 million annually in R2R-related productivity gains, as they streamline access to repairs and boost economic dynamism.

Mr Charity said that the AAAA’s commitment to expanding R2R across all sectors remains resolute.

Stuart Charity

“As the national leader in automotive R2R, AAAA is committed to supporting policies that increase productivity and promote fair competition,” he said.

“We look forward to partnering with the government to make Right to Repair a reality for all Australians.”

Mr Charity said a significant contribution was made by professor Leanne Wiseman, the chair of the Australian Repair Network, who “has been an incredible advocate for R2R for households, medical devices, and agricultural machinery over a significant period of time.”

He also highlighted AAAA’s support for general R2R reforms and the contributions of AAAA director of advocacy and its representative on the Australian Repair Network steering committee, Lesley Yates.

“Lesley has been a tireless advocate, championing R2R to ensure Australians have affordable, high-quality repair options across industries,” he said.

“Her work is essential to the R2R movement’s success, and today’s commitment reflects the government’s recognition of these efforts.”