This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/21/one-punch-assaults-tough-new-laws

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
One-punch assaults: tough new laws to be outlined by Barry O'Farrell One-punch assaults: tough new laws outlined by Barry O'Farrell
(about 1 hour later)
New South Wales is set to introduce radical laws to tackle alcohol-fuelled crime, including a mandatory minimum sentence of eight years in jail for fatal “one-punch” assaults where drugs or alcohol are a factor. The New South Wales premier, Barry O'Farrell, says his government will introduce an eight-year mandatory minimum sentence for one-punch offences committed under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The move comes after the deaths of teenagers Daniel Christie and Thomas Kelly in Sydney. "We are sending a clear message about alcohol and drug-induced violence," he told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday.
The premier, Barry O'Farrell, will announce the proposed new laws on Tuesday following increasing community concern over alcohol-fuelled violence. He said parliament would be recalled early to pass new measures including a one-punch law that would have a 20-year maximum penalty, rising to a 25 years where drugs and alcohol are involved.
A government source has told Fairfax Media a mandatory minimum penalty of eight years in jail and a maximum sentence of 25 years will apply to one-punch assaults resulting in death where drugs or alcohol were found to be a factor. Additionally, maximum penalties for serious assaults involving drugs and alcohol will increase by two years and mandatory minimums will also apply.
No mandatory minimum sentence will apply for fatal one-punch assaults that do not involve drugs or alcohol. O'Farrell said 1.30am lock-outs would be introduced at licensed premises across an expanded Sydney CBD precinct and there would be an end to drinks at 3am.
But under laws flagged last year by the attorney general, Greg Smith, and modelled on West Australian legislation, a maximum sentence of 20 years will apply, Fairfax reports. "This is about trying to send a very clear message to the industry that yes, you can continue to trade after 3 o'clock, but drinks will cease at 3 o'clock."
This is lower than the 25-year maximum sentence for manslaughter, but the proposed law will make it easier to secure a lengthy prison sentence than a murder conviction, where the crown must prove the attacker knew the punch would be fatal. The premier said there would also be a new statewide closing time of 10pm for bottle shops.
The NSW government proposed one-punch laws last year after Kieran Loveridge, 19, was found guilty of fatally punching 18-year-old Thomas Kelly in Kings Cross in 2012 and sentenced to a maximum of six years’ jail. "Licensed venues alone are not the source of all the alcohol problems across NSW, bottle shops have to play their role as well."
Daniel Christie, 18, died from injuries sustained in an alleged one-punch assault on New Year's Eve. O'Farrell said there would also be an increase in the maximum penalty for the possession or illegal use of steroids, from two years to 25 years, in line with Victoria.
O'Farrell met cabinet on Monday to consider a number of proposals to try to stem the flow of alcohol and violence on the streets. On-the-spot fines issued by police to deal with disorderly behaviour in entertainment hotspots will also be raised.
He was tight-lipped on Monday about details of the proposals under consideration, but predicted the public would be "delighted" when they were announced on Tuesday. The maximum fines will rise to $1,100, from $200.
"I'm confident the package being taken to cabinet this afternoon addresses community concerns and will make a difference," he said. The premier said the government would also introduce a multimillion-dollar community awareness program aimed at curbing binge drinking and alcohol-fuelled violence.
Risk-based licensing, recommended by the former Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing commissioner Michael Foggo following a review of the Liquor Act last year and reportedly given in-principle cabinet approval 16 months ago, was widely tipped to be one policy being considered. Free buses would also run every 10 minutes from Kings Cross to make it easier for people to get home after a night out.
This would mean bigger venues or those with a history of non-compliance with the Liquor Act would pay more for the right to serve alcohol. Periodic risk-based licences will be imposed for licensed venues across NSW and there will be a freeze on liquor licences for new pubs and clubs in the expanded Sydney CBD precinct.
O'Farrell has come under intense pressure in recent weeks to act against alcohol-fuelled violence after the deaths of 18-year-olds Thomas Kelly and Daniel Christie, who were victims of one-punch attacks at Kings Cross.