The totality principle applies across related environmental offences charged under different statutes (NP&W Act and FM Act) arising from the same course of conduct. A council's submission that fines will be borne by ratepayers does not reduce the penalty because it obscures the need for general deterrence. A guilty plea entered at an early stage attracts the full 25% utilitarian discount but cannot be treated as evidence of remorse where the council's conduct otherwise demonstrated a complete absence of remorse. The objects of the NP&W Act may be considered in sentencing for s 118D offences without constituting double counting.
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