In a further crackdown on dangerous bushfire bugs, the standard non-parole period for convicted arsonists is set to increase from five years to nine years to help protect lives and property across the Tweed community, Member for Tweed Geoff Provest said today.
Mr Provest said the NSW Government had introduced a legislative amendment to implement the recommendation of the Sentencing Council to help ensure those who commit bushfire offences spend more time behind bars.
“With another hot summer around the corner it is important there are strong laws in place to protect our communities,” Mr Provest said.
In 2018, Attorney General Mark Speakman asked the Sentencing Council to review the standard non-parole period.
As a result of the review, the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 will be amended to increase the standard non-parole period for the bushfire offence under section 203E of the Crimes Act 1900. The offence applies to the charge of intentionally causing a fire and being reckless about it spreading on public land or someone else’s property.
“The tougher standard non-parole period builds on the NSW Government’s introduction of a tougher penalty for the bushfire offence, which in November last year increased the maximum penalty from 14 to 21 years,” Mr Speakman said.
Police and Emergency Services Minister David Elliott said one act of stupidity could bring a community to its knees.
“There is no excuse for starting a bushfire, which is why the longer standard non-parole period, on top of tougher maximum sentences, reflects the seriousness of the crime,” Mr Elliott said.
Acting NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers welcomed the latest reforms.
“Our firefighters already have a difficult and dangerous job responding to fires and keeping people safe, let alone having to risk their lives because of reckless behaviour,” Mr Rogers said.
“The drought means the state is on high fire alert, so it is important people remain vigilant.”
As part of its review, the Sentencing Council received submissions from stakeholders including the Law Society of NSW, Legal Aid NSW, NSW Police Force, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Rural Fire Service Association. The majority agreed the bushfire offence’s standard non-parole period should be increased.