The National Farmers' Federation (NFF) 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.
On Friday afternoon, Federal, State and Territory Treasurers agreed to sign the 10-year Intergovernmental Agreement on National Competition Policy. Their post-meeting media release specifically acknowledged that the fast-tracked adoption of international product safety standards was a key first step towards delivering broader Right to Repair reforms, especially in agriculture and farming.
NFF President David Jochinke said while the NFF would continue to push the Government to get a legislative Right to Repair implemented, Friday's specific acknowledgment from all governments on the importance of this for agriculture and farming was an important step forward.
"While there's still a lot more to be done, the NFF and its members have worked hard to ensure that agricultural Right to Repair is viewed as a key element of competition reform. Friday's announcement is a welcome acknowledgement of this," 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."
As demonstrated in the Productivity Commission's National Competition Policy: Modelling proposed reforms report provided to the Board of Treasurers, agricultural Right to Repair has the potential to provide hundreds of millions of dollars of benefits for farming businesses and regional communities.
Alongside the Australian Treasurers, the NFF would also like to acknowledge the work of Assistant Minister for Competition Dr Andrew Leigh, who has been an exceptional advocate for improving the national competitive landscape, including in agricultural supply chains.
"Assistant Minister Leigh and his office continue to take a proactive and consultative approach to competition reform, taking the time to listen and understand competition issues facing Australian farmers," Mr Jochinke said.
"The NFF's work on this issue has been driven by its membership. The NFF's Right to Repair Taskforce, a collective of commodity councils and state farming organisations, has been actively championing progress on this issue."
GrainGrowers Manager of Advocacy and Rural Affairs, Sean Cole, said acknowledgement of the importance of this issue by the Treasurer's would be welcome news to Australia's Grain Growers.
"We have worked hard in recent times alongside the NFF to outline the impact that right to repair issues can have on agricultural businesses."
"One only needs to look at the impacts of the whether events of the last week on harvests across the eastern states to recognise the potential impact that the inability to get machinery up and running can have on producers."
"Any progress towards a right to repair for agricultural machinery 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 announcement was similarly welcomed by NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin.
"At the moment, farmers are locked in to getting services and repairs done only by authorised dealers and agents, which adds extra costs to farm businesses."
Mr Martin said he understood why that system had come about, but it wasn't the best way forward for agricultural productivity in Australia.
"Farmers know the value of their machinery and the business impacts when these are not operational - a more open and competitive after-sales and service market outcome is critical and for this reason we welcome Friday's announcement.
"Increased access to local, timely and affordable repairs for ag machinery is essential for our future farm businesses."
