Copper wire thieves could soon face life in prison, with the Queensland Government introducing tough new metal‑theft laws to Parliament.
The reforms, part of changes to the Justice Bill, target offenders who endanger lives or tamper with critical infrastructure, especially during natural disasters. Justice Minister Deb Frecklington told Parliament the penalties reflect the growing risks linked to copper theft.
The crackdown follows a spike in incidents, with Queensland Police reporting 200 copper theft cases since early 2025 – including two men have been charged after an alleged attempted copper theft at Deeragun at the start of this year, and another vandal who damaged cables and disrupted telecommunications in the lead up to ex Tropical Cyclone Koji.
The Bill also proposes tighter controls on the scrap‑metal trade, including mandatory dealer registration and a no‑cash policy to prevent anonymous sales ]. Minister Frecklington said the laws are designed to protect essential services and deter offenders. The legislation is now before Parliament.
