Punishment....

[kaneg]

The PM called it mass murder.
What do you think is a suitable punishment for a senseless crime like lighting a bush-fire?

[Rossi]

Minimum of 10 years + life sentence for each fatality caused, however you can never legislate for stupidity....... one of the fires was caused by someone using an angle grinder on his gates

[*Rach*]

yeah it's a hard one - the arson lights a fire cause they love fire and want to watch it. Unfortunately the fire gets out of control and people are killed. But did the arsonist set out intentionally to kill people ? Probably not - but they do have to be punished for their actions. You can't get a slap on the wrist for something like this. And what about the looters now............low lifes.............

[javaman]

I heard simply stopping a car on dry grass can cause fire ?

[robracer]

You got it Andy, something as simple as that
As for punishment make him watch his victims torch his house then his familys house... then lock the farker up for good .... no parole, hopefully bubba will take care of the rest

[fireyrob]

yeah it's a hard one - the arson lights a fire cause they love fire and want to watch it. Unfortunately the fire gets out of control and people are killed. But did the arsonist set out intentionally to kill people ?

Im not 100% certian but does this amount to manslaughter? IE their actions being deliberate lead to death? Its a difficult one...

[*Rach*]

yeah it's a hard one - the arson lights a fire cause they love fire and want to watch it. Unfortunately the fire gets out of control and people are killed. But did the arsonist set out intentionally to kill people ?

Im not 100% certian but does this amount to manslaughter? IE their actions being deliberate lead to death? Its a difficult one...

[bishboy]

You have to feel for those who have lost everything, but we also have to think of those in north qld who have also lost everything in the floods.

I'm also not sure, but I think (trying to remember back to those law textbooks at uni) manslaughter is if during an illegal action of yours (eg assault, arson, drink driving) someone is killed. It is differentiated from murder as to intent.

Growing up in the country, we were taught to be very careful especially when the grass is dry and the weather is hot and windy, it is amazing how fast a fire can take hold and get away from you (not that we were allowed to light fires). Maybe this should be taught (and continually be reinforced) at schools in areas where the risk is greater, with carefully staged demonstrations, but would this encourage some of the fire bugs? I can't imagine the politicians doing anything but grandstanding.

[dilligaf]

yeah it's a hard one - the arson lights a fire cause they love fire and want to watch it. Unfortunately the fire gets out of control and people are killed. But did the arsonist set out intentionally to kill people ?

Im not 100% certian but does this amount to manslaughter? IE their actions being deliberate lead to death? Its a difficult one...

my memory is that down here in vic, lighting a fire that leads to death is 25 years so equivalent to murder

[fireyrob]

my memory is that down here in vic, lighting a fire that leads to death is 25 years so equivalent to murder

If it is... Good! I hope its similar right around the globe!

[photomike666]

Correct manslaughter is illegal act leading to death, where murder is pre meditated intent to kill. IF they try for murder every arsonist will walk as they intended to burn not kill. It should be manslaughter. Still gets 15-20 behind bars

[JetPilot]

Burned at the stake. Like in the old days of the witch hunts.

[lifeofcrimeguy]

Surely a deadly obsession with fire is grounds for criminal insanity?? Bring on the straight jackets and bed restraints.
On the other hand you go the way of the japanese. Because everything in Japan used to be made of wood and paper, mishandling fire was a capital offensive...

[Cwidova]

let the victims have them....i'm sure that they could find something inventive to do to them

[Smitty]

Correct manslaughter is illegal act leading to death, where murder is pre meditated intent to kill. IF they try for murder every arsonist will walk as they intended to burn not kill. It should be manslaughter. Still gets 15-20 behind bars

so howzabout a specific crime.....
manslaughter by arson...gets 30 to life behind bars

As I dont subscribe to the unintentional manslaughter theory (but agree its tough to prove murder)
maybe thats the answer