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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.
Attorney General Mark Speakman and Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the Government would introduce an 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 and dry summer around the corner, it is important there are strong laws in place to protect farmers and communities who are already struggling because of the drought,” Mr Speakman.
“The tougher standard non-parole period builds on the Government’s introduction of a tougher penalty for the bushfire offence, which increased the maximum penalty from 14 to 21 years in November last year.”
In 2018, Mr 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.
Minister Elliott said one act of stupidity could bring a community to its knees.
“My message to would-be firebugs is to stop and think about the children and families who could be killed or injured and the huge economic and emotional toll of being homeless and having to rebuild properties and farms from scratch,” he said.
“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.”
NSW Rural Fire Service Acting Commissioner Rob Rogers welcomed the latest reforms and called on the community to report suspicious behaviour.
“NSW firefighters already have a difficult and dangerous job responding to emergencies and keeping the community safe, let alone having to put their lives on the line because some reckless person deliberately started a fire,” he said.
“The prolonged drought means there is an increased risk of fires. It is important people remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour so offenders are caught.”
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 of stakeholders agreed the bushfire offence’s standard non-parole period should be increased.

Sydney’s CBD will be home to two new office towers, with the NSW Government approving the development above the future Martin Place Metro Station.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Planning and Public Spaces Minister Rob Stokes and Minister for Transport Andrew Constance today announced the approval of a 39-storey office tower above the northern entrance of the under-construction Metro Station and a 29-office storey tower above the southern entrance.
Ms Berejiklian said the towers will create more than 2500 jobs during construction, and house nearly 9000 office, retail and hospitality workers once complete.
“Sydney is Australias only truly global city and developments like this continue to elevate our status,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The Martin Place development is a win for the community and a win for taxpayers, with Macquarie Group helping pay for the metro station build as part of the deal.”
Mr Stokes said the integrated station and towers is a great example of well-designed development being built in the right areas.
“These towers, which underwent a rigorous assessment by the Department and an independent design review panel, will enhance Martin Place’s position as a jobs and transport hub in the heart of the CBD,” Mr Stokes said.
“The new metro precinct will connect the existing T4 line with the Sydney Metro and will include shops, restaurants, offices and connections to Hunter, Elizabeth and Castlereagh Streets for commuters and workers.”
Mr Constance said construction of the towers will happen at the same time as the new Martin Place Station is being built underground, with the buildings to be completed in time for the Metro line’s opening in 2024.
“Once completed, the Metro will connect metro rail services from Chatswood, through a new line under the harbour and city, to Sydenham, where they will run on the existing Bankstown Line.”

Children will be better protected by legislation introduced in Parliament today which builds on the NSW Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the Children’s Guardian Bill 2019 will strengthen the independent regulator and help build more accountable, child safe organisations.
“Protecting children and young people is a top priority for our Government and this Bill sends an unequivocal message to all child-related organisations,” Mr Ward said.
“Organisations and agencies that engage contractors who work with children, as well as religious bodies, will be brought into the Reportable Conduct Scheme, with new penalties for anyone who fails to comply.
“The Bill will give the Children’s Guardian greater authority and oversight to help organisations create safer environments for more than 1.5 million children in NSW.”
The reforms will implement a number of recommendations of the Royal Commission to ensure the Children’s Guardian has the legal powers to keep our kids safe.
The NSW Government has had the most comprehensive response of any state or territory to the Royal Commission, with more than $570 million invested to protect children and support survivors of child sexual abuse.
Anglican Archbishop of Sydney Glenn Davies welcomed the changes, which he said would close the loopholes in legislation identified by the Ombudsman.
“The Anglican Church, along with other churches, has been very supportive of this move and I am glad that the highest level of protection for children in our state, will be maintained,” Archbishop Davies said.
The Office of the Children’s Guardian is an independent Statutory Authority that works to protect children and young people by promoting and regulating quality, child safe organisations and services.

Hundreds of thousands of households have reaped the rewards of the NSW Government’s cost of living programs, with $1.5 billion given back to households since July last year.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian joined Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello today at the Wynyard Service NSW Centre to reveal the figures and encourage families to check their eligibility for savings.
“There are more than 70 rebates and incentives available across Government that could potentially save households hundreds of dollars a year,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We are committed to easing cost of living pressure for families which is why we transformed Service NSW into a one-stop shop for household savings.
“Whether it’s a $100 Creative Kids voucher, a senior savers card or a better energy deal, hip pocket relief is available.”
Mr Dominello said: “Checking your eligibility and making a saving is simple and easy and can be done online, in store or by making an appointment with a cost of living specialist at Service NSW.”
“People simply love our cost of living support. It only takes a few minutes to claim a saving, but you could leave with extra money in your pocket.”
Milestones to date include:

• Around 30,000 cost of living appointments, saving customers $14 million, with an average saving of $550;
• Around 11,000 customers saving around $4.4 million through Energy Switch, with an average electricity saving of $440 and $134 for gas;
• More than 120,000 drivers saving almost $50 million in free rego and 14,000 drivers saving $3 million in half rego;
• Around 600,000 FuelCheck app downloads
• More than 930,000 Active Kids vouchers downloaded;
• More than 265,000 Creative Kids vouchers downloaded.

The following are the top Service NSW Centres in Sydney for cost of living appointment savings:

Centre	Savings	Highest Individual Saving
Parramatta	$497,000	$18,429
Liverpool	$441,000	$9,235
Auburn	$375,000	$2,627
Burwood	$367,000	$11,645
Mount Druitt	$351,000	$15,420
Wetherill Park	$346,000	$4,834
Castle Hill	$301,000	$8,000
Blacktown	$266,000	$2,824
Bankstown	$264,000	$2,285

Further information on the savings is available at www.service.nsw.gov.a

Premier Gladys Berejiklian today announced the NSW Government is working with German powerhouse Siemens to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to bring advanced technologies and innovations in vocational education and training (VET) to the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
Founded in 1847, Siemens is the largest industrial manufacturing company in Europe.
Ms Berejiklian made the announcement ahead of a tour of a ‘Smart City’ to learn about Germany’s innovative approach to vocational education and training (VET) on the sixth and final day of her international trade mission.
The up to €600 million ‘Siemensstadt 2.0’ or Siemens City 2.0 innovation precinct is set to transform a 70 hectare industrial area in Berlin into a modern, urban district with offices, residences, laboratories and production plants in place by 2030.
“The NSW Government is committed to building a supply of skilled labour to meet the jobs needs of the future,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I’m excited to learn more about Germany’s dual system of on-the-job and classroom training and see how that works in practice for companies like Siemens.”
Germany’s VET system provides trainees with high-level technical skills and has been especially effective at responding to changes in technology and the employment needs of business, providing a reliable source of high-skilled labour for local companies and supporting the global competitiveness of small to medium enterprises.
Siemens is a major investor in VET, training around 8000 apprentices and students in Germany each year.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said a strong VET system will be essential for ensuring the success of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
“The key to ensuring that additional jobs created through the Aerotropolis are sustainable is to provide workers with the skills they need for future industries,” Mr Ayres said. “That’s why the NSW Government will establish a permanent VET facility in the Aerotropolis with a focus on advanced manufacturing, technology and engineering.”
The Premier is on a trade mission to the UK and Germany from August 11 to 16 with Mr Ayres, exploring innovative partnership options for NSW.