Among the many member issues that cross my desk each month are consumer matters that must be dealt with in advocacy terms immediately.
At a practical consumer advocacy level, registered owners of hydrogen, electric and hybrid-powered vehicles built after 1 January 2019 are now legally required to display specific labels to the front and rear number plates of the vehicle. Owners of vehicles built after 1 January 2019, but registered prior to 1 October 2020, have until 1 October 2021 to ensure labels are attached. Labels can be obtained from the MTAQ website, and are currently available for pre-order.
I must also point our Farm and Industrial Machinery Dealers’ members to the PC’s Right to Repair draft report, which assesses competition in the agricultural machinery market and indicates whether consumers may be harmed from limits to third-party repair. This draft report coincides with the completion of the ACCC’s Agricultural Machinery market study, which recommends that agricultural machinery be considered for inclusion in the motor vehicle service and repair information-sharing scheme.
A concerning issue that has emerged is the publicity given to franchise business models that do not provide fair profitability and the payment of award wages. We are considering and consulting on the development of a wages audit product to identify/prevent underpayments linked to brand damage.
Until next month, take care and stay safe.
7 July 2021