The National Farmers’ Federation 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.
Federal, state and territory treasurers agreed to sign the 10-year Intergovernmental Agreement on National Competition Policy on Friday, November 29.
The treasurers specifically acknowledged that the fast-tracked adoption of international product safety standards was a key first step towards delivering broader right-to-repair reforms needed in agriculture and farming.
NFF president David Jochinke said the NFF would continue to push the Federal Government to get a legislative right-to-repair implemented and that the joint announcement from the treasurers on the importance of the policy for agriculture and farming was an important step forward.
“There’s still a lot more to be done, (but) the NFF and its members have worked hard to ensure that agricultural right-to-repair is viewed as a key element of competition reform,” Mr Jochinke said.
“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.
“Friday’s announcement is a welcome acknowledgement of this.”
The announcement was also welcomed by peak bodies GrainGrowers Limited and NSW Farmers.
A national competition modelling report provided to the Board of Treasurers said agricultural right-to-repair has the potential to provide hundreds of millions of dollars of benefits for farming businesses and regional communities.
