Unclaimed Goods (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill
Tuesday 25 November 2025
S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (16:46): I rise to speak in support of the Unclaimed Goods (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2025, another example of this Labor government's commitment to cutting red tape, supporting small businesses and bringing our laws into the modern era.
This bill updates the Unclaimed Goods Act 1987, a law written almost 40 years ago at a time when fax machines were considered new technology. The act was well intentioned in its day, but it has become cumbersome, outdated and out of step with the way South Australians live and work in 2025. For too long it has imposed unnecessary regulatory burdens, especially on small and family-run businesses that do not have the time, money or resources to navigate a maze of red tape. This bill fixes that.
The call for reform came from the Motor Trade Association, representing mechanics and auto workshops right across the state. They told us about the growing problem of customers abandoning vehicles at their workshops, often as they are unable to afford repairs or simply walking away. Under the current law, those businesses are stuck holding onto the vehicle for months, forced to go through complex notice and disposal procedures that often cost more than the vehicle itself. It is unfair, it is inefficient and it is a perfect example of what happens when outdated regulation does not keep up with reality. This government has listened, consulted widely and delivered a practical, commonsense solution.
This bill makes the act clearer, faster and fairer. Firstly, it modernises the language, replacing old-fashioned legal terms with plain modern English. That might sound simple, but clarity matters when small businesses are trying to follow the law. Secondly, it recognises prior agreements between businesses and customers. If they have already agreed on what should happen if goods are left behind, that agreement will apply. It is a commonsense measure that gives businesses certainty and flexibility. Thirdly, it updates outdated value thresholds.
The upper limit for goods, which require a court order to dispose of them, will rise from $2,000 to $20,000—a long overdue change that reflects today's prices, simplifies the process for lower value goods and reduces waiting times. Goods can now be treated as unclaimed after 14 days if reasonable efforts have been made to contact the owner. Holding periods have been shortened to 14, 28 and 60 days depending on the value of the goods. These are small but significant changes that make the laws work for small business, not against it.
This bill also brings the law into the 21st century. At present, businesses are required to send notices by post or even publish them in newspapers, an expensive, outdated process that no longer serves any real purpose. Under this bill notices can be given by email or any other approved method. The newspaper requirement is scrapped. That is real red-tape reduction, saving small businesses time, money and frustration. The rules for disposal are now straightforward and fair. Low-value goods will automatically vest in the business after the holding period. Mid-value goods can be sold privately or at auction and high-value goods will still require a court order ensuring proper oversight where it is needed.
The bill also introduces special provisions for particular types of goods. Rubbish and perishable items can be disposed of quickly. Personal documents must be destroyed securely to protect privacy and motor vehicles come with added protections including mandatory checks of the Personal Property Securities Register to identify any financial interests. This ensures we maintain fairness and accountability while still cutting unnecessary delay. This bill reflects strong consultation across industry and government. Their feedback led to several important improvements including setting a higher $1,000 threshold for low-value motor vehicles, expanding the right for owners to reclaim goods and clarifying how disputed ownership can be resolved through the courts. It is another example of this government listening, engaging and delivering balanced reform.
Small businesses are the backbone of South Australia's economy. They employ hundreds of thousands of people. They sponsor local footy, netball and cricket teams. They give apprentices their first start but they are also the ones, so often, affected by slow, outdated and overly complicated rules. We understand that. We are not interested in regulation for regulation's sake. We are interested in practical solutions that let people get on with running their business. The Unclaimed Goods (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill 2025 is a simple but important step in that direction, cutting red tape, supporting local jobs and modernising a law that should have been updated long ago. It is exactly the kind of commonsense reform that South Australians expect from a Labor government that backs small businesses and gets things done. I commend the bill to the house.
