Those deliberately starting a bushfire will be put behind bars for 21 years, the NSW Government says, amid a rise in temperature and drought conditions in the state.
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The current maximum punishment for NSW’s targeted bushfire offence is 14 years in jail.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said her government will introduce a tougher penalty in the NSW Parliament this month.
The new penalty will apply to the specific bushfire offence under section 203E of the Crimes Act, which deals with intentionally causing a fire and being reckless about spreading it on public land and someone else’s property.
“Deliberately starting a bushfire is a selfish and senseless act that can have catastrophic consequences, potentially wiping out land and homes, and causing injury or death to residents and livestock,” Ms Berejiklian said.
NSW Rural Fire Service said there is a very high chance of bushfires on Friday in the Bathurst, Orange, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Lithgow, Mid-Western and Oberon council areas.
It announced a total fire ban for the Greater Sydney region, including the Blue Mountains and Central Coast, Greater Hunter, Illawarra and Shoalhaven and the Southern Ranges, on Thursday.
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The NSW Government said Attorney General, Mark Speakman, will ask the Sentencing Council to:
- Consider if the five-year standard non-parole period for the bushfire offence should be increased
- Review the maximum penalties for a range of arson offences, including destroying or damaging properties by means of fire.
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons asked the community to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers.
“Starting bushfires is not only a criminal offence but also has the potential to damage properties and put lives at risk,” he said.