The second half of 2011 provided some big steps forward in the global campaign to ensure that independent repairers are given access to the critical information and special tools required to repair and maintain modern vehicles.
 
In Australia the Federal Government launched a Consumer Affairs Inquiry into data sharing in the automotive industry where stakeholders were invited to respond to an issues paper prepared by the Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council (CCAAC).   

As a result of the detailed submission lodged by the AAAA on this issue we were invited to meet with the CCAAC panel in December 2011 for further consultations. The meeting was a relatively informal opportunity to raise any questions arising from our submission and to clarify points raised in other submissions.
 
At the end of the meeting CCAAC Chairman Colin Neeve stated that the panel had come to the view that this is a real issue that needed action.  He did however clarify that the panel did not yet have a clear view of the extent of the problem or the recommended solution.

This is a critical development for a number of reasons.  Firstly and most significantly, by taking this view the panel are rejecting the car industry position that there is no problem. And secondly, acknowledgement of the issue means that something will need to be done to address it.
 
Mr Neeve did however state that regulation or legislation to address this issue would only be considered if the Government came to the view that this was the only option open to it and their strong preference is for the industry to develop a solution voluntarily.

On that basis we agreed to a meeting with the car industry, chaired by Colin Neeve from the CCAAC, to explore the potential for a voluntary solution.  While we are fully aware that the voluntary solution brokered in the USA many years ago continues to experience significant shortcomings for independent repairers, we will undertake these discussions in good faith. Having said that, as a minimum requirement any agreement reached would need to involve all OEMs that sell vehicles in Australia and would need to include oversight from Government to ensure ongoing compliance.  
 
We will keep you updated via this column on any developments in relation to this critical industry issue.