EACH major political party and two crucial Senate independents want to conduct a review of the voluntary data sharing code implemented in 2015 and some are prepared to legislate for a mandatory code.

The strong support for the independent repair and maintenance sector has come to light thanks to a survey of the major political parties conducted by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA).

The survey result is the strongest indication yet that the non-compliance by most car-makers under the data sharing code of behaviour will come under scrutiny after the election.

The AAAA surveyed the ruling Liberal/National coalition, the Labor Party, the Greens, the Nick Xenophon Team and the Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party.

“We are heartened to see that all of these parties have stated their unequivocal support for the consumers’ right to choose their preferred suppliers,” AAAA chief executive Stuart Charity said when releasing the results of the survey.

“We also welcome the commitment that all these parties have made to review the existing voluntary industry agreement for vehicle data sharing.”

“This trial agreement has failed to deliver tangible outcomes for the owners of Australia’s 17.6 million motor vehicles.”

The agreement was signed in December 2015 and embodied a code of behaviour that was designed to give independent repairers and body workshops access to the crucial data needed to maintain and repair vehicles.

Car-makers are forced to do this in Europe and North America, but many have failed to comply with the Australian voluntary agreement.

“Since the voluntary agreement was signed in December 2015, only a handful of car companies have increased the availability of repair and service data to independent workshops via their websites,” Mr Charity said.

“And only one out of the 68 car brands selling in Australia has fully complied with the voluntary agreement by sharing all the critical information required for today’s vehicles, such as technical service bulletin and software updates and PIN-codes for the many computers built into them.

“Instead, vehicle manufacturers have adopted smoke and mirror tactics to stall access to this critical technical data by independent workshops.”

The survey results include the following statements from the various parties.

Liberal/National: The government supports the consumer’s right to choice of repairer. It has promised a review of the voluntary agreement within three months of the election. The review, however, would be asked to consider whether there was any systemic consumer detriment. (An earlier report, by the Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Committee, has already found that there was no systemic consumer detriment.)

Labor: The Opposition also supports the consumer’s right to choice of repairer. It has asked the treasurer, Scott Morrison, to conduct the scheduled review of the agreement.

Australian Greens: The Greens support the consumer’s right to choose and want a review of the voluntary code. The party goes further than the other parties by also calling for a mandatory code to govern data sharing. It notes that the data in question is available in other countries on reasonable commercial terms and will work to introduce a similar mandatory system here.

Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party: The party supports a consumer’s right to choose a repairer. It has already prepared legislation to introduce a mandatory code that would be monitored by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. It recommends the creation of a National Auto Repair and Service Portal.

Nick Xenophon Team: The party supports the consumer’s right to choose a repairer. It believes the current system puts consumers at a disadvantage by forcing them to use franchised dealers. It wants a Senate enquiry to examine the introduction of a mandatory code and wants to work with the AAAA and the industry on developing the terms of reference.

By Ian Porter