GrainGrowers, Media Release, 13 November 2024
GrainGrowers has welcomed Treasurer Chalmer’s announcement today that as part of a broader $900 million package to cut red tape, there will be a specific focus on consumer right to repair.
“When agricultural machinery breaks down, it’s more than an inconvenience – it’s a significant financial loss for growers,” said GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel.
“Currently, restrictive repair rules limit growers’ choices, making them feel less like owners of their machinery and more like renters. This can delay critical repairs, impacting productivity and profitability.”
The peak body has emphasised it is essential that agricultural machinery right to repair is included in the proposed package to ensure growers have a choice of repairer, as is currently the case for light vehicles.
These changes will prompt increased efficiency and productivity in grain and broader agricultural regions, promoting new jobs and businesses in rural communities.
GrainGrowers has been working with the National Farmers Federation (NFF) on a select right to repair taskforce and is pleased to see progress made towards the issue.
“GrainGrowers will continue to advocate on this issue as long as the need exists. With the accessibility and cost of parts and labour in the agricultural machinery space seeing little improvement in recent years, it is essential that the sector keeps pushing this agenda forward” said Ms Gawel.
