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Australia 'one-punch' laws announced in New South Wales | Australia 'one-punch' laws announced in New South Wales |
(35 minutes later) | |
New laws are to be introduced in Australia's New South Wales (NSW), toughening sentences against drunken violence including one-punch assaults. | New laws are to be introduced in Australia's New South Wales (NSW), toughening sentences against drunken violence including one-punch assaults. |
The measures include minimum eight-year sentences for fatal one-punch assaults influenced by drugs or alcohol. | The measures include minimum eight-year sentences for fatal one-punch assaults influenced by drugs or alcohol. |
Liquor shops will close earlier and premises in parts of Sydney will have to stop serving drinks by 03:00. | Liquor shops will close earlier and premises in parts of Sydney will have to stop serving drinks by 03:00. |
The move comes after the death of an 18-year-old who was attacked in Sydney. | The move comes after the death of an 18-year-old who was attacked in Sydney. |
Campaigners called for measures tackling alcohol-fuelled violence after Daniel Christie died after being punched in Sydney's King's Cross area on New Year's Eve. | Campaigners called for measures tackling alcohol-fuelled violence after Daniel Christie died after being punched in Sydney's King's Cross area on New Year's Eve. |
Another 18-year-old, Thomas Kelly, died after being punched in 2012. | Another 18-year-old, Thomas Kelly, died after being punched in 2012. |
'Coward punches' | 'Coward punches' |
Single-punch attacks have been described colloquially as "king hits". However, campaigners and families of victims have called for them to be referred to as "coward punches" instead. | Single-punch attacks have been described colloquially as "king hits". However, campaigners and families of victims have called for them to be referred to as "coward punches" instead. |
In a statement, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said: "I have been horrified by the continued drug and alcohol-fuelled attacks on city streets and the increase in violence used in these attacks." | In a statement, NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell said: "I have been horrified by the continued drug and alcohol-fuelled attacks on city streets and the increase in violence used in these attacks." |
"The idea that it's OK to go out, get intoxicated, start a fight or throw a coward's punch is completely unacceptable." | "The idea that it's OK to go out, get intoxicated, start a fight or throw a coward's punch is completely unacceptable." |
"I expect opposition to some or all of the measures," he said. "These new measures are tough and for that I make no apologies." | "I expect opposition to some or all of the measures," he said. "These new measures are tough and for that I make no apologies." |
The measures also include lockouts in parts of Sydney's central business district, where people will be prevented from entering venues after 01:30, and the introduction of a state-wide 10pm closing time for liquor stores. | The measures also include lockouts in parts of Sydney's central business district, where people will be prevented from entering venues after 01:30, and the introduction of a state-wide 10pm closing time for liquor stores. |
Similar lockout laws are in place in NSW's Newcastle area, and South Australia. | Similar lockout laws are in place in NSW's Newcastle area, and South Australia. |
Supporters say the laws have been successful in reducing alcohol-related violence, but some venue owners say the measures have hurt businesses and that other measures, such as increased policing, are more effective. | Supporters say the laws have been successful in reducing alcohol-related violence, but some venue owners say the measures have hurt businesses and that other measures, such as increased policing, are more effective. |
Thomas Kelly's parents said they welcomed the measures, which had gone "way above what we were asking for". | Thomas Kelly's parents said they welcomed the measures, which had gone "way above what we were asking for". |
"It's bittersweet to know that the reform will come in shortly but it's also still terrible for us as a family," they said. | "It's bittersweet to know that the reform will come in shortly but it's also still terrible for us as a family," they said. |
Thomas Kelly's attacker, Kieran Loveridge, was given a minimum four year sentence in November. Campaigners described the sentence as too lenient. |
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