One Punch Laws Pass NSW Parliament
Monday 3 February 2014 @ 1.04 p.m. | Crime
As was previously indicated by TimeBase, Legislation to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence, including a controversial law for deadly one-punch assaults, has been passed by the New South Wales Parliament as the Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Assault and Intoxication) Act 2014 (No. 2 of 2014).
The Lower House approved the bill at lunchtime on 30th January 2014 (3 weeks earlier than originally predicted) and the Upper House voted in favour shortly before 7pm (AEDT).
Among the initiatives are mandatory eight-year prison terms for anyone who fatally punches someone while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The legislation also includes a new precinct in central Sydney where bars and clubs will be subject to strict new conditions, including lock-outs.
Politicians were forced to cancel their holidays for the special sitting of State Parliament. Premier Barry O'Farrell told Parliament during the debate that action is needed because the courts have not been prepared to hand out the sentences that people expect.
"Much of this is indeed pioneering legislation...It has to be to address an issue that, if the status quo was to remain, would continue to see too many innocent victims either killed or seriously injured. If we have to come back and revisit this, if we have to fine tune, we will because we are determined to put in place an effective regime."
Greens MP John Kaye says the measures are a "knee-jerk" reaction. The Greens believe the real issues are being ignored.
"The dangerous promotions of deep discounting of alcohol, the failure to enforce responsible service of alcohol in venues and excessive liquor outlet density."
TimeBase is an independent, privately owned Australian legal publisher specialising in the online delivery of accurate, comprehensive and innovative legislation research tools including LawOne and unique Point-in-Time Products.
Sources:
One-punch alcohol laws passed by NSW Parliament
Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Assault and Intoxication) Act 2014 (No. 2 of 2014) - As published on TimeBase LawOne
