Media Releases
TOUGHER PENALTIES INTRODUCED TO HELP PROTECT ENERGY SUPPLY FOR VICTORIANS
From the Minister for Energy & Resources
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Penalties for those who deliberately trespass or interfere with
critical electricity infrastructure will be increased under changes
introduced into Parliament today, Energy and Resources Minister Peter
Batchelor has announced.
Mr Batchelor said that under the proposed penalties, a person who invades or goes onto a critical electricity infrastructure site without authority would face a maximum penalty of 120 penalty units – the equivalent of a fine of more than $14,000 or one year imprisonment.
Interfering with critical electricity infrastructure will have a maximum penalty of 240 penalty units – equivalent to a fine of more than $28,000 or two years imprisonment.
“Intruders who interfere with equipment not only put themselves at risk of death or serious injury, but risk the safety of power workers, police and other emergency response personnel,” Mr Batchelor said.
“People who trespass or interfere with major electricity infrastructure also pose a serious risk to electricity supply for Victorians.
“These new penalties will provide a stronger deterrent to intruders seeking to disrupt power supply across Victoria.”
Mr Batchelor said the Latrobe Valley had recently become a major focus of some protests groups, with their actions including unlawful entry to power stations.
“The Brumby Labor Government supports the right of all Victorians to carry out peaceful protests and these amendments will not affect that right,” Mr Batchelor said.
“However, these penalty increases better reflect the serious consequences and the dangers that can arise from unauthorised entry and damage to power stations, if protest action escalates into illegal activity.
“Damage at these sites can lead to power blackouts, which cut power to households, public transport, schools and hospitals, and cause economic losses of millions of dollars.”
Mr Batchelor said the Brumby Labor Government was taking action to providing affordable, sustainable energy for Victorians.
“We are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy production by reducing emissions from our traditional energy sources such as brown coal, and by encouraging investment in renewable energy sources,” he said.
The proposed penalties will be introduced as amendments to the Electricity Industry Act.
Mr Batchelor said that under the proposed penalties, a person who invades or goes onto a critical electricity infrastructure site without authority would face a maximum penalty of 120 penalty units – the equivalent of a fine of more than $14,000 or one year imprisonment.
Interfering with critical electricity infrastructure will have a maximum penalty of 240 penalty units – equivalent to a fine of more than $28,000 or two years imprisonment.
“Intruders who interfere with equipment not only put themselves at risk of death or serious injury, but risk the safety of power workers, police and other emergency response personnel,” Mr Batchelor said.
“People who trespass or interfere with major electricity infrastructure also pose a serious risk to electricity supply for Victorians.
“These new penalties will provide a stronger deterrent to intruders seeking to disrupt power supply across Victoria.”
Mr Batchelor said the Latrobe Valley had recently become a major focus of some protests groups, with their actions including unlawful entry to power stations.
“The Brumby Labor Government supports the right of all Victorians to carry out peaceful protests and these amendments will not affect that right,” Mr Batchelor said.
“However, these penalty increases better reflect the serious consequences and the dangers that can arise from unauthorised entry and damage to power stations, if protest action escalates into illegal activity.
“Damage at these sites can lead to power blackouts, which cut power to households, public transport, schools and hospitals, and cause economic losses of millions of dollars.”
Mr Batchelor said the Brumby Labor Government was taking action to providing affordable, sustainable energy for Victorians.
“We are working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from energy production by reducing emissions from our traditional energy sources such as brown coal, and by encouraging investment in renewable energy sources,” he said.
The proposed penalties will be introduced as amendments to the Electricity Industry Act.
