Reintroduce capital punishment

February 12 2009, 1:54pm

The time has come for the community and politicians to seriously consider reintroducing capital punishment.The fact many of Victoria's horrific fires were deliberately lit begs the question of a suitable penalty if the offenders are caught and convicted.Execution is a fitting punishment given the lives that have been lost.The strongest argument against capital punishment is the risk of getting it wrong and killing an innocent person.Religious objections fail scrutiny considering mankind's history.If the facts of a case can be proved beyond any doubt whatsoever, and reasonable appeals and reviews are exhausted, judges should have the option to hand down a death sentence for terrible crimes of mass murder.People on the street of all political backgrounds have formed this view in the past week.While emotions are running high may not be a good time to begin the debate, a proper process of community discussion should be held ahead of state referenda to coincide with the next round of elections.It could be argued that capital punishment is too good for homicidal arsonists in that they should be made to live with the guilt of their crimes forever.However, society should not have to bear the cost of keeping them in prison.And the ultimate message of deterrence should be sent to anyone who might contemplate deliberately lighting a destructive fire in the future.A life sentence seems too light for the perpetrators of devastation and misery who caused this week's tragedy.