- New laws designed to deter repeat shoplifting and petty theft
- Reforms to expand the range of sentencing options available to courts when dealing with these offenders
- Follows increased penalty for assaults on retail workers announced last week
Repeat offenders charged with low level stealing offences will now face jail time, with the Cook Government set to expand the range of sentencing options available to the courts.
As the law currently stands, where a person is charged with stealing an item valued at $1,000 or less, and dealt with in the Magistrates Court, a 'fine only' penalty of $6,000 applies.
The other sentencing options available to the court are a suspended fine, conditional release order, or community based order. A term of imprisonment cannot be imposed, regardless of the circumstances of the offence or the person, including previous offences.
The reforms remove the 'fine only' penalty limit where a person is convicted of a stealing offence, or an attempted stealing offence, and has two or more prior convictions for a stealing offence in the past 12 months.
These repeat offenders will instead be subject to the higher maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and $24,000 when dealt with summarily, providing more effective deterrence and opening up the full range of possible sentencing options to the court, including a potential term of imprisonment.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"My Government is standing up for small business owners, many of whom are families, as well as their hard-working staff who've quite rightly had enough.
"Serial shoplifters shouldn't be allowed to snub their nose at the law and that is why my Government is taking action.
"This new crackdown specifically targets repeat offenders who simply refuse to respect the community and the courts.
"This common-sense sentencing option will send a clear message to those criminals who think they are above the law."
As stated by Attorney General John Quigley:
"Shoplifting is a pervasive issue that all retail workers confront, which particularly impacts small businesses. The 'fine only' penalty for low level stealing offences is well known in the community and does not provide a sufficient deterrent for would-be offenders.
"Under these important reforms, repeat offenders will be subject to the higher penalty of two years imprisonment and $24,000, opening up the full range of possible sentencing options to the court, including a potential term of imprisonment.
"The increased maximum penalty will provide a more effective deterrent for those offenders who would otherwise engage in repeated shoplifting and petty theft, and ensure that courts have the power to impose sentences that reflect community expectations.
"These reforms, combined with the increased penalty for assaults on retail workers that were announced last week, will make retail environments a safer place for employees, and importantly, the community."
