The Federal Government is understood to be close to releasing legislation regarding the mandatory sharing of service and repair information.

Bodies such as the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) have been campaigning for the Federal Government to introduce a mandatory scheme for about a decade.

In October 2019, Federal Assistant Treasurer Michael Sukkar pledged the Government would bring in a new law obliging car Manufacturers to share mechanical repair and service information with an estimated 30,000 independent repairer businesses across Australia on “fair and reasonable commercial terms”.

The AADA has always said this information should only be shared on such terms. It will represent Dealers on an industry body that assists with implementation of the legislation.

The move comes after voters in the US state of Massachusetts voted to expand current data sharing laws by allowing vehicle owners and independent mechanics to access telematics, wirelessly transmitted data that is typically sent directly to a remote server.

Mr Sukkar based his commitment to the legislation on a mandatory system recommended by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) in 2017.

The new law is expected to be brought in by the end of the year.

“Progressing the Motor Vehicle Scheme remains a priority for me and for the Government. As the Government’s priorities are now shifting toward the recovery of the Australian economy, supporting small businesses, such as independent repairers, is as important as ever,” Mr Sukkar said in a statement.