Make lockouts permanent: victim's brother
NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione has backed calls from the younger brother of one-punch victim Thomas Kelly to make Sydney's lockout laws permanent.
STUART Kelly, 17, delivered an emotional speech at the Take Kare gala dinner, where he detailed the moment he was told his older brother would not survive the "one-punch" attack in Kings Cross.
The audience on Wednesday night was thoroughly moved, Mr Scipione said.
"Anyone thinking that we should roll back these laws and that we shouldn't continue to go forward really needs to have a listen to what this young fellow said," Mr Scipione told 2GB on Thursday.
Stuart called on the state government to maintain its stance on lockout laws, to prevent more families from facing the effects of senseless violence.
"I carry a deep scar that you cannot see," he said.
"It's always there, never leaves. It's just below the surface of your skin, and surfaces when you least expect it."
He said his brother's death could and should have been avoided.
"Australia is an alcoholic - we need to rethink the way we drink," Stuart said.
"Tonight your involvement and your voice can and will make a difference.
"Premier, will you make this promise tonight?"
Mike Baird was a guest at the dinner.
The lockout laws, introduced last year after the deaths of Stuart's brother and Daniel Christie, require most licensed premises in central Sydney and Kings Cross to refuse entry to patrons from 1.30am and stop serving alcohol at 3am.
Source: The Australian / AAP, 17th September 2015
Originally published as: Make lockouts permanent: victim's brother
