VPRS 14968 Miscellaneous Files, Transferred Properties

This series consists of files relating to the transfer of properties between the State and Commonwealth Governments. Included are lists of the properties prepared at various times, annotated sets of papers relating to the valuation of properties and the Premier's Office (VA 672) file and that of the Department of Public Works ()VA 669). It is thought that these files were brought together by F Riddout who had worked with the Office of the Government Valuer and later for the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (VA 538). Indications are that the files were placed in the custody of that Department c1943.Under the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia 1901 a number of functions passed from the individual former colonies to the Commonwealth of Australia. The most obvious of these functions were those relating to defence and the military forces, posts and telegraphs, customs and navigation including lighthouses along the coast. As part of this, property used by the states for the exercise of these functions was similarly transferred to the Commonwealth.Section 85 of the Constitution provided for these transfers of property stating that when a function was transferred the property used exclusively in connexion with this department, shall become vested in the Commonwealth . Further, property not used exclusively by the department could also be acquired. The Section further provided that valuations of property so acquired should be made with the view of compensating the State for its loss.Other property for the exercise of Commonwealth functions could also be acquired from the States under the Lands Acquisition Act 1906 and its subsequent amendments. This Act also provided for the leasing of land to the Commonwealth as well as the sale. The Act asserted the State's right to compensation and provided for the assessment of this, the means of payment and for the resolution of any disputes.The files in this series were previously held by the Department of Crown Lands and Survey as Boxes 7 and 8 of the Transferred Properties Collection.