Under the new proposed laws, anyone caught deliberately starting a bush fire will face a maximum sentence of 21 years imprisonment – up from the previous maximum of 14 years.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald Welcomed the announcement.

“We are putting firebugs on notice. If you do the wrong thing, you will face the consequences,” he said.

“I am extremely please with today’s announcement. After the Cessnock bushfires in November 2016, I requested the then Attorney General and Premier review the penalties.

“The Hunter suffers from too many deliberately lit fires.”

Under the proposal, the Attorney General Mark Speakman will be asking the Sentencing Council of NSW to consider if the five-year standard non-parole period for bushfire offences should be increased.

He will also call on the council to review the maximum penalties for a range of other arson offences including destroying ot damaging property.

“Under these conditions, bush fires spread quickly and are hard to stop, so it’s important there are harsher penalties in place to deter potential firebugs,” Mr Speakman said.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Troy Grant encouraged residents to be vigilant during the bush fire season.

“The community often act as our eyes and ears, so if you see any suspicious behaviour and believe someone has started a fire on purpose, it’s absolutely vital that you report it to authorities immediately,” Mr Grant said.