The Hodgman Liberal Government is moving forward on our commitment to better protect threatened species in Tasmania.
A bill has been tabled today that will amend the Threatened Species Protection Act 1995 to significantly increase the penalties for those who deliberately kill threatened species in Tasmania.
The community was rightly outraged at the shooting of two threatened eagle species earlier this year, and these changes will bring penalties more in line with community expectations and send a strong message that this will not be tolerated in Tasmania.
The amendments will increase the penalties to a fine of up to $100,011 and a maximum custodial sentence of up to 12 months’ imprisonment.
The current maximum penalty is restricted to a fine of up to $15,900, with no possibility for a custodial sentence despite the seriousness of the offence.