THE ‘right to repair’ has long been a topic of political conversation, with the issue centred around consumers being locked into using certain businesses to maintain software and perform maintenance.
For example, previously if you purchase a certain brand of car, only that dealership had the relevant software and information to access the internal computer, and you had to go there to maintain the warranty.
The right to repair legislation already came into play in the automotive industry in 2022 to some degree, and it is now illegal for car companies to withhold information from qualified independent mechanics.
The service and repair information that car manufacturers share with their own dealership network must also be made available to independent repairers.
This allows car owners to use their service centre of choice, meaning consumers can get timely assistance at a reasonable price, closer to home.
It also reduces the ability of dealerships to price gouge, as they no longer have the monopoly.
The issue currently being discussed though, is should Agricultural Equipment be included in this legislation?
The right to repair in Australian agriculture is a policy that would allow farmers to:
• Have their machinery repaired by local repairers
• Make simple repairs on their own farm without voiding warranties
• Access diagnostics and manuals to service machinery
• Have access to repair and service information, software updates, and diagnostic tools
The advantages to including Ag in right to repair legislation:
• Reduce downtime due to repair and part supply delays
• Help control costs
• Bring Australia in line with international competitors
• Benefit local communities, farmers, independent repairers, and consumers
This discussion is timely, with American farmers last year winning the right to access the tools to service and repair their John Deere equipment.
Farmers and other repairers are now able to purchase their own diagnostic tools compatible with John Deere equipment, instead of having to call John Deere every time a fault code is thrown.
The Australian National Farmers’ Federation welcomes Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ renewed emphasis on right to repair in his address in mid-November to the Australian Business Economists, but urged the Federal Government to commit to including agricultural machinery in proposed reforms.
The Treasurer told the group: “I expect we’ll start by fast-tracking the adoption of trusted international product safety standards and developing a general right to repair – both Commonwealth-led reforms.”
NFF Chief Executive Officer Tony Mahar said the organisation was committed to a scenario where manufacturers and farmers could work constructively on a right to repair framework for farm machinery.
“What we need is greater flexibility for farmers to repair their equipment like what other countries have achieved for their farm sector. We haven’t been able to land any such arrangements so far,” Mr Mahar said.
“Farmers across Australia know all too well the cost of equipment downtime.
“When machinery is out of action during harvest, it costs time and money.
“We’ve been pursuing the right to repair to give farmers greater flexibility to use a suitably qualified repairer of their choice without fear of voiding warranties and travelling long distances - or waiting excessive periods - to access supplier repairers.”
The NFF’s Right to Repair Taskforce, a collective of commodity councils and state farming organisations, has been pushing for policy changes to address these issues.
“We are encouraged by Treasurer Chalmers’ comments signalling a focus on right to repair but want to see a firm commitment this will include agricultural machinery,” Mr Mahar said.
“This move 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 NFF also acknowledges recent comments from Assistant Minister for Competition Dr. Andrew Leigh MP, recognising right to repair issues can put farmers under real financial pressure.
“We support the Government making a firm commitment to include agricultural machinery in a right to repair and stand ready to work with them to achieve that.
“This is a practical and sensible solution that will support farmers, boost the farm sector’s productivity and level out the playing field with our international competitors,” Mr Mahar said.
