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King-hit a ‘coward’s punch’, says family of Daniel Christie, and minister agrees King hit a ‘coward’s punch’, says family of Daniel Christie, and minister agrees
(35 minutes later)
NSW's police minister has flagged support for a re-labeling of violent offences so that the wording reflects the "gutlessness" of the king hit.NSW's police minister has flagged support for a re-labeling of violent offences so that the wording reflects the "gutlessness" of the king hit.
The early backing for change comes after 18-year-old assault victim Daniel Christie's family said a king hit should instead be referred to as a “coward's punch”.The early backing for change comes after 18-year-old assault victim Daniel Christie's family said a king hit should instead be referred to as a “coward's punch”.
Police minister Michael Gallacher agreed and said the community needed to refer to the "gutless acts" for what they were.Police minister Michael Gallacher agreed and said the community needed to refer to the "gutless acts" for what they were.
"King hit somehow suggests there was some sort of fair fight and something to be looked upon as a significant victory," he told reporters on Friday. "There is nothing victorious in this gutless act."King hit somehow suggests there was some sort of fair fight and something to be looked upon as a significant victory," he told reporters on Friday. "There is nothing victorious in this gutless act.
"I think the suggestion is something the government will be looking upon very, very seriously.""I think the suggestion is something the government will be looking upon very, very seriously."
Asked what the government could do, Gallacher said the language could be replicated in legislation.Asked what the government could do, Gallacher said the language could be replicated in legislation.
People needed to understand king hitting people and other gutless acts should not be respected, he added.People needed to understand king hitting people and other gutless acts should not be respected, he added.
"They should not be hidden in words like ‘assault occasioning actual bodily harm’ or 'assault occasioning grievous bodily harm’," he said."They should not be hidden in words like ‘assault occasioning actual bodily harm’ or 'assault occasioning grievous bodily harm’," he said.
Gallacher said there should be a "stand-out offence" so when a person is charged or investigated on their criminal record down the track, they were ashamed to describe the charge.Gallacher said there should be a "stand-out offence" so when a person is charged or investigated on their criminal record down the track, they were ashamed to describe the charge.
Christie remains in a critical condition at St Vincent's hospital after he was punched in the face on New Year's Eve. He was assaulted in almost the same spot where 18-year-old Thomas Kelly was fatally punched in Kings Cross in July 2012.Christie remains in a critical condition at St Vincent's hospital after he was punched in the face on New Year's Eve. He was assaulted in almost the same spot where 18-year-old Thomas Kelly was fatally punched in Kings Cross in July 2012.
Christie's family issued a statement on Thursday, saying their lives had been turned upside down.Christie's family issued a statement on Thursday, saying their lives had been turned upside down.
"We don't agree with the popular term 'king hit'," the family said. "We have heard it referred to as a coward punch, which seems to be more appropriate.""We don't agree with the popular term 'king hit'," the family said. "We have heard it referred to as a coward punch, which seems to be more appropriate."
The Christie family attracted the support of Ralph and Kathy Kelly, the parents of Thomas Kelly, 18. In a statement posted on petition website change.org, the Kellys called for alcohol and drugs to be identified as mandatory aggravating factors in sentencing.The Christie family attracted the support of Ralph and Kathy Kelly, the parents of Thomas Kelly, 18. In a statement posted on petition website change.org, the Kellys called for alcohol and drugs to be identified as mandatory aggravating factors in sentencing.
Gallacher said the government was looking at concerns around aggravation.Gallacher said the government was looking at concerns around aggravation.
"Sometimes it's very difficult to determine if a person is affected by alcohol, drugs or both," he said. "Obviously, as a result of the work we are doing with police, we are trying to get a better understanding of how we address that.""Sometimes it's very difficult to determine if a person is affected by alcohol, drugs or both," he said. "Obviously, as a result of the work we are doing with police, we are trying to get a better understanding of how we address that."
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