Project No. 51

Commenced: 1973
Completed: 1980

Prior to the reference, the law in Western Australia relating to unclaimed money differed depending on how a potential claim to the money might arise. There existed provision for money to be paid to the Treasurer where it remained unclaimed for a certain period of time. However the requisite period of time before such payment was required differed depending on the category. Further, upon receiving a payment, the Treasurer was required to deal with the money differently depending on which category the payment arose from. There was an obvious need for consolidation of the law.