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A lot can change in 52 years. But regrettably, one thing that hasn’t is the law that specifies how businesses should get rid of forgotten or abandoned property.
For MTA members that have had the misfortune of servicing or repairing a vehicle only to later discover that the owner has disappeared, modernisation of the law cannot come soon enough.
The need for Parliament to update the Disposal of Uncollected Goods Act 1970 is perhaps best summarised by this sentence published by the Department of Commerce in 2019:
“The purpose of this review is to update the DUG Act’s provisions, which are outdated and do not take into account major advances in technology and communications, and reduce the regulatory burden placed on receivers of goods…”
Indeed, the department’s request for submissions demonstrated it and the MTA shared similar objectives:
“We need your views and opinions to develop laws to better suit the needs of people and businesses who are left in possession of other peoples uncollected goods, and implement new processes which make it cheaper, easier and quicker to dispose of uncollected goods.”
It is our understanding that the review was completed, but unfortunately COVID-19 and other factors have limited the government’s capacity to get a new Bill drafted.
As life for most is returning to normal, the MTA policy and advocacy team has recently approached the Minister for Commerce Hon Roger Cook to urge him to expedite the required changes.
The MTA has already had some encouraging discussions and hope to be able to report solid positive progress in the coming months.
If your business has had a noteworthy experience (positive or negative) with uncollected goods, please drop us an email with your story and thoughts.
