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Canberra Today 16°/18° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Prison for firebugs

simon corbell

SIMON Corbell says people convicted of deliberately lighting fires during total fire bans will face an increased penalty of up to two years in jail and a $30,000 fine under legislation introduced in the Legislative Assembly today.

“The Emergencies Amendment Bill 2016 also creates a new offence of undertaking a high risk activity in the open during a total fire ban period,” Simon said.

“Lighting fires during a total fire ban is extremely dangerous and it is important the courts have an appropriate penalty available that acts as a strong deterrent to prevent people from lighting fires.

“Whether through deliberate actions or as a result of reckless activity, fires on total fire ban days can be extremely dangerous and pose a serious threat to life and property.

“This legislation increases the maximum penalty under Section 116 for lighting a fire during a total fire ban from $7500 to $30,000 and up to two years in jail. This significant increase better reflects the danger that the community faces from this serious offence.

“Creating a new offence for undertaking high risk activities – such as welding, grinding, soldering and gas cutting – on total fire ban days reflects the harm that could be caused by undertaking these activities when the conditions are unsuitable.”

Additional high risk activities can be prescribed by regulation.

The Bill also clarifies operational response arrangements for fires in land management zones in the territory.

“Simplifying this process gives clarity to both ACT Fire & Rescue and the ACT Rural Fire Service about which service has responsibility in different situations, particularly in regard to areas within the ACT urban-rural interface,” Simon said.

“This amendment will not alter the existing first response arrangements, which are that first response to all grass and bushfires in the ACT will be by the nearest available most appropriate resource, irrespective of jurisdiction or service. However, it specifies that final responsibility for fires in rural areas falls to the ACT Rural Fire Service.

“The boundaries between urban and rural areas will be regularly reviewed to ensure the appropriate response arrangements in light of land use and other changes.

“Both ACT fire services will continue to work together in responding to fires throughout the ACT.”

The Bill makes changes to 14 areas of the Emergencies Act 2004 as part of the government’s commitment to improving the ACT Emergency Services Agency’s ability to protect the community.

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Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

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