Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Attorney-General Mark Speakman and Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant are seeking to increase the maximum jail sentence for the bushfire offence from 14 years to 21 years.

“Deliberately starting a bushfire is a selfish and senseless act that can have catastrophic consequences, potentially wiping out land and homes, and causing injury or death to residents and livestock,” Ms Berejiklian said.

The tougher penalty to be introduced into parliament in November will apply to the specific bushfire offence under section 203E of the Crimes Act of intentionally causing a fire and being reckless about it spreading on public land or someone else’s property.

“Such thoughtless acts place lives, homes, businesses, and entire communities a risk. These new penalties will give courts the power to impose tough sentences in line with community expectations,” Mr Speakman said.

The Attorney General will also ask the Sentencing Council of NSW to consider if the five-year standard non-parole period for the bushfire offence should be increased, and review the maximum penalties for a range of arson offences, including destroying or damaging properties by fire.

“The reforms will provide a strong deterrent to would-be arsonists while more than 99 per cent of the state is gripped by drought. With low rainfall predicted in coming months and large swathes of bushland looking like a tinderbox, we must do all we can to protect the state from another disaster,” Mr Grant said.

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons welcomed the reforms and called on people to report suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers.

To ensure the proposed new sentence comes into effect as soon as possible, the amending legislation will be declared urgent upon introduction into the NSW Parliament on the first sitting day in November.