Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman has congratulated the Federal Government for taking on board a Labor policy that will see local residents able to take their cars to any local mechanic for specialist repairs, rather than just to the manufacturer.

Ms Templeman spoke on legislation before Federal Parliament last week that changed the rules around who gets access to specific data about new cars.

“Independent car repairers have not been able to fix certain problems with newer cars because car manufacturers refused to share information,” Ms Templeman said.

“That meant that you couldn’t go to your local mechanic to fix a problem because they literally weren’t able to access the technical information on how to do it.

“It was a really uneven playing field.

“This legislation, which Labor wanted to bring in in 2019, makes it illegal for car companies to withhold information from qualified mechanics. 

“It’s for people like Andrew in Blaxland at Active Automotives, who very kindly spent time with me, explaining the issue.

“I don’t profess to have a great understanding of car repair processes, I’m very happy to hand it over to somebody, but I absolutely want to be handing it over to someone local, someone I can trust, someone I run into at the shops.

“Under the rules, Andrew should be able to save time providing a comprehensive service to his customers.

“People who run small businesses, people who work in small businesses, know what it’s like when the playing field isn’t level, and that’s what local car repairers have been experiencing.

“I spent nearly 25 years running my own business, I grew up in my dad’s small business – a newsagency - and I know exactly what it’s like. 

 “On the Labor side, we are absolutely delighted to see there is a real breakthrough for a category of small business that provides an essential service in our community through this legislation.   

“It’s an example of the government recognising a good policy and going with it. It’s flattering to see Labor’s whole policy incorporated into legislation on this issue,” Ms Templeman said.