About the forum

From phones and fitbits to fridges and cars, consumers are buying more and more ‘smart’ consumer goods. Yet by denying consumers the ability to repair these goods, manufacturers of ‘smart’ goods are challenging, and even undermining, the very notion of physical ownership. More broadly too, the (in)ability to repair ‘smart’ consumer goods is contributing to the increasing problem of product obsolescence and e-waste which is inhibiting Australia’s environmental sustainability.

Globally, there has been a groundswell of support from consumers, repairers, environmentalists and designers for a ‘Right to Repair.’ The US and EU have already introduced ‘Right to Repair’ schemes into their laws. While Australia does not have ‘Right to Repair’ legislation, there is increasing interest in a ‘Right to Repair’ for Australia as this would both benefit Australian consumers and improve Australia’s environmental sustainability.

Please come and join us for a public discussion about the ‘Right to Repair’.

Hear from our Panel of Experts about what is happening in the International ‘Right to Repair’ movement and join us in discussions about whether there is a place for a ‘Right to Repair’ in Australia.

Meet our Panellists

Professor Taina Pihlajarinne, Faculty of Law, Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), University of Helsinki, Finland

Professor Leah Chan Grinvald, Faculty of Law, Suffolk University, Boston, Massachusetts, US

Professor Graeme Austin, Chair in Private Law, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ and Professor of Law, Melbourne University Law School, Victoria

Mr Guido Verbist, General Manager — The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre, NSW

Mr John Gertsakis, Director and Co-founder of Ewaste Watch, Victoria

Professor Matthew Rimmer, Professor of IP and Innovation, Faculty of Law, QUT — Brisbane

Dr Michelle Maloney, Australian Earth Laws Alliance, Brisbane — QLD

Organisers

Professor Leanne Wiseman, Griffith Law School, Griffith University

Dr Kanchana Kariyawasam, Griffith Business School, Griffith University