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Pressure mounting after Sydney drunk brawl

Three men have been hospitalised, two with head injuries, following a brawl in Sydney on Saturday as debate over alcohol-related violence rages.

An ambulance in Sydney's CBD
A brawl left three men in hospital in Sydney amid pressure for action on alcohol-related violence. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Pressure is mounting on the NSW Government to explain why it hasn't acted on an approved alcohol-related violence plan following a serious assault in Sydney.

Three men were knocked unconscious early on Saturday morning in a brawl in Sydney's CBD.

According to police, a group of people was sitting in Martin Place when several men approached.

A fight started and three men were knocked unconscious.

Two men, aged 24 and 30, were taken to St Vincent's Hospital with head injuries.

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A 30-year-old man was also taken to hospital with face lacerations.

Two days ago - and following weeks of public pressure - Premier Barry O'Farrell revealed the government would urgently consider measures to tackle alcohol fuelled assaults in Sydney.

Among the suite of measures that would go before cabinet were proposals to improve the regulation of alcohol licensing, he said.

But the ABC reported on Friday that Mr O'Farrell had a plan sitting on his desk for the past 16 months.

A leaked email from September 2012 reportedly shows that cabinet approved "in principle the introduction of a periodic fee system to commence from July 2013", the ABC reported.

Hospitality Minister George Souris says he will not comment on cabinet meetings.

Shadow Health Minister Andrew McDonald accused the government of running for cover.

"They are hiding, they are hoping it will go away," he said on Saturday.

"This will not go away. It is far too important."

Dr McDonald said the non-implementation of the plan was because the government was in the "pocket of the liquor lobby".

He said it was only a matter of time until the next tragic death.

On Friday friends and family farewelled 18-year-old Daniel Christie, who was fatally punched in Kings Cross on New Year's Eve.

The attack on Daniel Christie took place near the spot where Thomas Kelly was fatally assaulted in 2012.


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