Strawberry crisis prompts jail time boost

In response to needles being found in strawberries across the country, the federal government wants to increase jail time for contaminating food to 15 years.

Source: AAP

FEDERAL ACTION TO DEAL WITH STRAWBERRY SAGA:

* Contamination offences penalty in commonwealth criminal code to be increased to 15 years in jail from 10 years.

* Four new contamination offences to be created with 10 year maximum jail terms, with the level of proof being "recklessness".

* Sabotage offences to be extended to include "goods intended for human consumption."

* Food services and food intended for the public will be included in the revised definition of "public infrastructure".

* This new definition links food contamination to national security.

* A defence exists if the person charged is a public official or owner or operator of the public infrastructure, and engaged in the conduct in "good faith, with lawful authority and the conduct was reasonable in the circumstances".

* Labor supports the measures but are asking for a 12-month review of the legislation to be built into the draft laws.

* Police are following up 100 leads, many of which are expected to be hoaxes or copycats.

* Australian Border Force has rolled out X-ray and metal detection devices to help in the investigation.