A prominent Sydney neurosurgeon has welcomed Premier Barry O'Farrell's proposed restrictions on trading hours for licensed venues in an effort to combat drunken violence.
St Vincent's Hospital neurosurgeon Dr Mark Winder has in recent weeks treated victims of king-hits - unexpected single blows that can result in death.
"For every hour we see a reduction in alcohol trading in the Kings Cross and CBD area, we are confident of seeing a major reduction in the amount of alcohol-related presentations that will come through our emergency department doors," Dr Winder said in a statement.
"We welcome the NSW government's decision to introduce 1.30am lockouts and 3am closures around the city.
"This will go a long way to reducing some of the horrific injuries that I, and many of my surgical colleagues, have had to contend with in recent times."
St Vincent's Hospital treated one-punch victims Thomas Kelly and Daniel Christie, who died in separate incidents in nearby Kings Cross.
Mr O'Farrell on Tuesday announced a legislative package aimed at curbing alcohol-fuelled assaults on Sydney streets and beyond.
Laws would include mandatory minimum jail terms for serious alcohol and drug-related assaults, forced drug and alcohol testing, earlier closing times for bottle shops and early-morning lockouts for big inner Sydney bars.
The Salvation Army has welcomed the measures proposed by the government, but wants alcohol promotion to be reformed.
Pricing off booze, particularly from bottlos, must also be examined, the Salvation Army's director of recovery services, Gerard Byrne, said.
"While mandatory closing times for bottle shops is a positive step, it still won't stop young people from stocking up on cheap drinks and getting drunk well before heading out to the clubs and pubs," he said in a statement.
"The message young people seem to receive when it comes to alcohol is one of glamour and not the negative side-effects which come as a result of binge drinking."
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