The Motor Trades Association of Australia says negotiations to strengthen the Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry (MVIRI) Code of Conduct are making progress, with governance reform remaining the top priority for the collision repair sector.
In an update published on its website dated April 22, the Motor Trades Association of Australia said work is continuing under the direction of the Australian Motor Body Repairers Association (AMBRA) to ensure the Code’s governance framework is restructured before clause-by-clause negotiations begin. The association said this governance-first approach is designed to address long-standing concerns around independence, transparency and enforceability.
The current Code remains in place while negotiations continue, but MTAA said any replacement must operate within a framework that is “credible, balanced, and capable of delivering meaningful compliance outcomes”.
Among the key reforms already gaining support is the incorporation of the Code Administration Committee (CAC) as an independent association, governed by its own constitution to improve impartiality and transparency. There is also agreement to appoint an independent chair and to create clearer structural separation from direct industry control.
MTAA said stronger enforcement mechanisms were also essential, including the introduction of enforceable monetary sanctions for Code breaches and the removal of unresolved commercial disputes from the CAC to an independent external body. Greater transparency in decision-making and the inclusion of independent observers or expert input are also under consideration.
A new legal firm has also been engaged to draft a fresh Code, replacing legacy arrangements and aiming to deliver a more independent approach.
MTAA said the reforms were particularly important for small and independent repairers, who often face significant power imbalances when dealing with large insurers.
“There is broad agreement on the importance of independent oversight and stronger enforcement mechanisms,” MTAA said on its website.
“However the extent of structural independence and the composition of governance bodies continue to be negotiated.”
The association maintains that independence must be embedded within core decision-making structures to ensure credibility and fairness across the sector.
To support stability during negotiations, Ben Chesterfield, manager of Car Craft Accident Repair Centres Queensland, has been appointed chair of AMBRA. Chesterfield brings more than 40 years of experience in the body repair industry.
Once agreement is reached on the remaining governance issues, the parties will move to a detailed review of the draft Code line by line.
MTAA said if key governance outcomes are not achieved, further consideration of next steps would be required, signalling the industry’s determination to secure a stronger and more balanced Code for repairers and insurers alike.