Actually, that's not true at all. I work in Retail Loss Prevention and you'd be surprised of the rules. In New Jersey (where I work), all you have to do is conceal an item and it's considered shoplifting. If you go into a store to pick up a handful of items and don't get a cart (figuring it's a small purchase) and decide to stow a few small items in your jacket pocket to make room, fully intending to pay (i've seen it happen) I can, within the rights of the law of that state stop you for shoplifting. However, the rules and regulations of each individual company are also different. At my company I wouldn't stop you until I saw you leave the store (which is how I know some people conceal and than pay). While Loss prevention is a risky job because false accusations can land you in unemployment this particular case would more than likely NOT be considered grounds for termination/sueing [at least in many of the states nearby where I live] because the item did leave the store and intentions cannot be proven, only actions - It's likely that the person who did it wouldn't be charged for anything (regardless of accusations) but they would have no case. Now like you said I don't know how things are run in Australia, just showing you that shoplifting laws aren't like you think.

cool story, bro