A total effective sentence of 5 years' imprisonment with a non-parole period of 3 years and 4 months for six rolled-up charges of intentionally causing a bushfire (burning approximately 431,274 square metres of grassland over ten days) was held to be, if anything, lenient. The serious arson offender designation under s 6B(2) of the Sentencing Act 1991 may not apply to the first arson charge when an offender is sentenced simultaneously on multiple arson charges, as the offender has not yet been 'sentenced to a term of imprisonment' for an arson offence at the time of sentencing on the first charge.
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