Backing down on tough lockout laws would be a betrayal of the death of one-punch victim Thomas Kelly, NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione says.
Mr Scipione hit the airwaves on Thursday, fresh from a stirring speech given by Stuart Kelly, whose older brother Thomas was killed in an alcohol-fuelled attack in Kings Cross three years ago.
The top cop's message was clear: lockout laws are here to stay.
"You would almost betray the death of a young man by doing that, by backing off now," he said on Sydney radio station 2GB.
Stuart Kelly challenged Sydney's top leaders, among an audience of 700 at the Take Kare gala dinner on Wednesday night, not to cave in to public pressure to water down the laws.
"Australia is an alcoholic - we need to rethink the way we drink," the year 12 student said.
"Tonight your involvement and your voice can and will make a difference."
He asked Mike Baird: "Premier, will you make this promise tonight?"
The lockout laws were enforced last year and require central Sydney venues to refuse entry to people after 1.30am and stop serving alcohol at 3am.
Groups directly affected - venues, DJs and partygoers - say the rules are draconian.
A criticism has been that unruly revellers are now moving their outings to the inner-west suburb of Newtown, which is causing an increase in alcohol-fuelled violence there.
Mr Scipione said violent behaviour had not yet reached a concerning level in that area.
More than 1000 people held protests against the laws last weekend, marching from Hyde Park to Kings Cross.
The medical fraternity does not want the lockout laws to be softened.
St Vincent's Hospital surgeon Dr John Crozier says the laws have drastically reduced alcohol-related injuries.
"From police, ambulance, nurses and doctors who pick up the pieces, it has been a tremendous transformation," he said.
The anti-violence measures include a state-wide ban on selling takeaway alcohol after 10pm.
The owner of a Darling Harbour bottle shop was the first to feel the full force of this law on Monday when he was fined more than $28,000 for serving undercover police officers after the cut-off time.
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