National Small Business Strategy to develop ‘rights to repair’

The National Small Business Strategy has backed broadening the nation’s right to repair agreement “especially in agriculture and farming”.

The National Small Business Strategy has backed reforms to the nation’s right to repair agreement “especially in agriculture and farming”. Picture: File

The push for a right to repair agreement for farmers has inched a small step closer after the newly formed National Small Business Strategy backed the reforms.

In its framework issued on Monday, the National Small Business Strategy said the nation’s Treasurers had committed to “revitalising” national competition policy.

This included “working on the development of ‘rights to repair’ for a broader range of consumer products to drive down repair costs, increase business opportunities and reduce wastage by removing barriers to competition for repairs, especially in agriculture and farming”.

NFF president David Jochinke said a right to repair could help ease farming cost pressures, lift productivity and improve competition.

“It is time to progress a legislative solution,” Mr Jochinke said.

“For too long, farmers have locked in to getting certain services and repairs done only by authorised dealers and agents, which means extra costs to farm.

“We’ve exhausted other avenues for a right to repair. Discussions between the NFF Taskforce and the Tractor and Machinery Association of Australia for an industry-led Memorandum of Understanding were held in good faith, but ultimately ceased as NFF members chose to seek a legislative solution to protect producer rights.”

Federal, state and territory governments worked together to create the strategy, which outlines how governments will work together to support Australian small businesses.

The next Small Business Ministers’ meeting will take place in mid-2025.