I laughed when I read the news re this.
Another of our generally lazy governance cross across Australia.
The Depts. concerned know darn well who are the owners of the monies.

They claim to have lost contact details in the hope that the owners do not know of the "problem" and thus when the time limits are up, can legally keep the money in general revenue.

As an older adult, I have proven beyond doubt that once ones Drivers Lic, Tax File No. etc. are given they have all the data required in order to contact one.

This was the case in S.A. some years back when too many trucks were pranging down the SE Freeway, coming down the Ranges into Adelaide.

So all HR Lic drivers in Australia (back then the HR was an AUSTRALIAN Lic. not a STATE Lic.) were notified of the road rule changes pertaining to heavy vehicles were contacted by mail, of the new rules!

All DipTI had to do was look up the addresses and send the mail, and of course now the officers there claim they NEVER did such a thing, that is until I show them the letters which I have kept.
For some strange reason the only response I get then is that they turn their backs and walk away.

Yes Ian, agree. A cross check between Centrelink and Tax Office would get rid of almost all of it.

They have not made it easy to fill out your name, I tried 3 times and gave up. Why not just put your name in a form, and they lo0ok that up. No they want to make it hard to understand, so you will give up.

If you never change address, keep all your licences up to date then finding you is easy. If you drop a licence, don't renew registration and move around then it's not as easy as people think. Some people even do this so they can't be easily found. There are strict privacy codes for data sharing between govt departments and you don't want that to ever be reversed. Amongst other restrictions, data sharing between ATO and Centrelink is limited to data actually held right now and in the past, if that produces an old address, then we're back a square one. The Centrelink can't access funds (either to deposit or withdraw) without your express permission, change banks and permission doesn't does exist. Assuming they even have your banking details. The ATO can't access funds without proving they have made extensive attempts to contact you. Again, assuming they even know your banking details.