The New South Wales Government will introduce new legislation to increase the penalties for electricity theft.
The Minister for Energy, Ian MacDonald, says the maximum jail term for stealing power will more than double, from two to five years.
He says the crime is no less serious than the theft of tangible goods, and the new penalties put it in line with a larceny charge.
"These enhanced penalties are about giving a warning to those who wish to steal electricity that it wont be tolerated," he said.
"We're not going to allow electricity theft from the grid to continue, and these penalties will help in this approach."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/06/28/1964167.htm
