Queensland looting reaction "hysterical" and "psychotic"

Queensland police and public officials have reminded would be looters that anyone convicted of looting faces double the penalty for normal stealing offences – up to ten years in jail.

LNP shadow attorney-general Jarrod Bleijie has called for looters to be named and shamed, and ordered to perform public clean-ups.

"Its bad enough that flood-hit Queenslanders have to contend with the heartache of their losses," Mr Bleijie said.

"No one needs to suffer the double whammy of having valuables stolen."

Looting can also have deadly consequences in that people will be very reluctant to leave their homes unoccupied if there is a history of looting that makes them fear their unattended valuables will be stolen. The harsh penalties and public revulsion are therefore understandable.

Melbourne gamer, barrister, serial litigation-threatener, perpetual whiner and part-time online vigilante Jeremy Sear can't grasp the seriousness of looting, however, deeming the reaction of Queenslanders a "hysterical" and "psychotic" overreaction. In fact, looting can be a good thing:

If their house has been destroyed by flood already, does it make much difference that someone’s stolen their video-camera? Particularly if that means it can be claimed on insurance as theft rather than just damage by rising water?

Cool, looting is a public service, provided the victims can afford theft insurance.


Editing note: Looting typo in title corrected. (Jeez, getting that right was a struggle.)