Government calls time on Sydney revelry It has a reputation as one of the best party capitals where revellers can drink and dance until dawn. But change is coming to Sydney after the government unveiled plans to introduce what it claims to be some of the toughest measures to a crackdown on a spate of "alcohol-fuelled violence." These include mandatory minimum prison sentences of two to eight years for drunken assaults, restrictions on licensing hours for pubs, clubs and off licences and mandatory drug and alcohol testing for suspects in violent assaults. "The idea that it is OK to go out, get intoxicated, start a fight or throw a coward's punch is completely unacceptable," says Barry O'Farrell, premier of the New South Wales state government. These new measures are tough and for that I make no apologies. The crackdown on binge drinking follows several "one punch" alcohol-fuelled attacks in Sydney's entertainment district, which resulted in the deaths of two teenagers. It is the latest in tough law and order initiatives introduced in Australia, where conservative governments have replaced Labor administrations at federal and state level. A controversial "bikie law" passed recently in Queensland, introducing mandatory minimum sentences for motorcycle gang members convicted of crimes, has prompted concerns from lawyers. The proposed alcohol laws for Sydney reflect growing international concerns about "booze culture," which is prompting a lively debate about measures to tackle alcohol-related violence in countries such as the UK and Ireland. "This is not just an Australian problem; it is an international issue," says Michael Farrell, director of Australia's National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. There is a clear link between violence and late opening times for drinking establishments. The proposed laws, which are expected to pass the state legislature when it returns from holidays next week, would establish a 1.30am "lockout" time after which new customers could be barred from entering most pubs in Sydney's biggest entertainment zones. For customers already inside a venue alcohol would stop being served from 3am, two hours ahead of current closing hours. The entertainment industry warns the crackdown on licensing laws would hurt businesses and do little to tackle the problem of alcohol-related crime. This is not just an Australian problem; it is an international issue Michael Farrell, director of Australia's National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre "The lockouts and closures in the Sydney central business district will also have an undeniable impact on the night-time economy, penalising businesses that are well run and have nothing to do with recent violence," says the Australian Hotels Association NSW, which represents hotels, pubs and clubs in the city. Mr Farrell dismisses industry concerns that the new laws would hurt business or Sydney's reputation as a top tourist destination, saying he was getting on with the job of making the streets safer. The liquor and entertainment industries maintain strong links with political parties in Australia. For example, Paul Nicolaou, the head of the Australian Hotels Association, is a former chief fundraiser for the Liberal party in New South Wales. But they have fought a rearguard lobbying campaign against government action following an effective media campaign demanding tough action inspired by the families of Thomas Kelly and Daniel Christie, the teenagers who died following recent assaults in Sydney. The lockouts and closures will have an undeniable impact on the night-time economy Australian Hotels Association NSW Political observers expect the legislative package to pass the New South Wales legislature. But the proposed introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for crimes perpetrated while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is prompting concerns among legal experts and civil liberties campaigners. Under the proposal a "one punch" assault leading to the death of a person, either directly from the assault or indirectly, would carry a minimum mandatory sentence of eight years and a maximum sentence of 25 years. A drunken assault causing actual bodily harm would carry a mandatory minimum of two years in prison. "This is pure law and order populism and is being introduced to provide a political spin to provide a simplistic message that the government is doing something," says Terry O'Gorman, a Brisbane lawyer who is president of the Australian Council for Civil Liberties. He says the mandatory minimum sentences would not deter violence as people suffering from alcohol intoxication did not think about the consequences of their actions.