AUSTRALIA | Repeat offenders who commit low-level stealing will now face imprisonment as the Cook Government intends to broaden the range of sentencing options available to courts.
This move aims to deter repeat shoplifting and petty theft, following the increased penalty for assaults on retail workers announced last week.
"My Government is standing up for small business owners, many of whom are families, and their hard-working staff who've quite rightly had enough," said Premier Roger Cook.
"Serial shoplifters shouldn't be allowed to snub their nose at the law, and that is why my Government is taking action."
Currently, when 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.
"This new crackdown specifically targets repeat offenders who 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."
The other sentencing options available to the court are a suspended acceptable, conditional release, 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.
"Shoplifting is a pervasive issue that all retail workers confront, particularly impacting 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," said Attorney General John Quigley.
These repeat offenders will instead be subject to the higher maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and $24,000, providing more effective deterrence and opening up the full range of possible sentencing options to the court, including a potential term of imprisonment.
