The Wire

The tragic bushfires in Victoria over the weekend have shocked the nation. At least 126 people were killed, and 700 homes lost. Arsonists appear to have been active just ahead of the fire-front in some of the most severely affected areas. State Premiers and the Prime Minister have called for murder charges against individuals convicted of lighting fires. Arsonists face a maximum 25 years in gaol, for ‘arson causing death’. Sparking fires under extreme conditions such as Saturday’s blaze in Gippsland, brings a charge of ‘reckless murder’, and a possible life sentence. But is arson murder, or manslaughter? And how can it be prevented?