AAAA Welcomes Ministerial Continuity and Calls for Broader Right to Repair Action
The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) has welcomed the reappointment of the Hon Dr Andrew Leigh as Minister for Productivity, Competition, Charities and Treasury, calling it a strong signal that the Albanese Government will continue its leadership on Right to Repair reform.
The AAAA, which led the decade-long campaign for the Motor Vehicle Information Scheme (MVIS), says Australia now has an opportunity to take the next step—delivering greater productivity and lower costs for Australian consumers by improving and expanding Right to Repair.
“Minister Leigh has shown genuine leadership on Right to Repair, and we are pleased to see him continue in this important portfolio,” said Stuart Charity, CEO of the AAAA.
“Labor has made it clear that lifting Australia’s stalled productivity is its highest economic priority. Improving access to repair information is a proven way to boost productivity—cutting costs, reducing waste, and supporting thousands of small businesses who keep Australians moving.”
The AAAA is calling on the Government to build on the success of the MVIS as part of the upcoming review by modernising the scheme to ensure it delivers on its promise of fair competition and consumer choice.
Specifically, the AAAA is seeking:
Universal Diagnostic Access:
Mandating the use of a universal diagnostic standard, such as SAE-J2534, so workshops can use a single tool across all car brands, reducing unnecessary costs and complexity.
Data Aggregator Licensing:
Requiring car manufacturers to license all repair information—including technical service bulletins—to data aggregators, ensuring multi-brand workshops can access all the information they need in a standardised format to do the job right.
Telematics Data Access:
Ensuring that real-time vehicle data transmitted via telematics systems is made available to independent repairers on fair and reasonable terms, supporting safe and efficient servicing of modern connected vehicles.
“These changes would deliver immediate, measurable productivity gains for the 30,000 independent repairers who service Australia’s 20 million vehicles,” said Charity.
The AAAA also called on the Government to extend its leadership on Right to Repair beyond the automotive sector, including agriculture, medical devices, and other industries where limited access to repair information drives up costs for Australian businesses, families, and communities.
“Right to Repair is bigger than just cars. It’s about ensuring all Australians—whether they’re farmers, families, or healthcare providers—have the freedom to choose where and how their products are repaired,” said Charity.
“With Minister Leigh continuing in his role, we have a golden opportunity to build on the success of the MVIS. We urge the Government to embrace a broader Right to Repair agenda, starting with the review of the MVIS to make sure it works as intended for independent repairers and the Australian public.”
The AAAA has written to Minister Leigh seeking a meeting to progress these important reforms.
“We look forward to the opportunity to meet with Minister Leigh early in this term to continue this important dialogue on how Right to Repair can help deliver Australia’s productivity goals,” said Charity.