Legislation to tackle alcohol-fuelled violence, including a controversial law for deadly one-punch assaults, has been passed by the New South Wales Parliament.

The Lower House approved the bill at lunchtime yesterday and the Upper House voted in favour shortly before 7pm (AEDT).



Among the initiatives are mandatory eight-year prison terms for anyone who fatally punches someone while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The legislation also includes a new precinct in central Sydney where bars and clubs will be subject to strict new conditions, including lock-outs.

The Government announced the measures last week, in response to pressure over the death of Daniel Christie from a single punch at Kings Cross.

The measures include: Eight-year minimum sentencing for alcohol or drug-fuelled assaults ending in death.

Eight-year minimum sentencing for alcohol or drug-fuelled assaults ending in death. Serious assault maximum penalty increased by two years, with mandatory minimum sentences.

Serious assault maximum penalty increased by two years, with mandatory minimum sentences. On the spot fines for disorderly behaviour increased from $200 to $1,100.

On the spot fines for disorderly behaviour increased from $200 to $1,100. Police have powers to immediately ban 'troublemakers' from CBD/Kings Cross.

Police have powers to immediately ban 'troublemakers' from CBD/Kings Cross. Penalty for possession of steroids increased from two to 25 years.

Penalty for possession of steroids increased from two to 25 years. CBD/Kings Cross venues to have 1:30am lockouts with drinks stopping at 3:00am.

CBD/Kings Cross venues to have 1:30am lockouts with drinks stopping at 3:00am. Bottle shops across NSW to close at 10:00pm.

Politicians were forced to cancel their holidays for the special sitting of State Parliament.

Premier Barry O'Farrell told Parliament during the debate that action is needed because the courts have not been prepared to hand out the sentences that people expect.

"Much of this is indeed pioneering legislation," he said.

"It has to be to address an issue that, if the status quo was to remain, would continue to see too many innocent victims either killed or seriously injured.

"If we have to come back and revisit this, if we have to fine tune, we will because we are determined to put in place an effective regime."

Labor supports legislation, sight unseen

The Opposition voted with the Government, despite several Labor MPs raising concerns about mandatory sentencing.

However before the debate began Opposition Leader John Robertson complained that he had not seen any details of the legislation.

"We will support the Government's one-punch laws," Mr Robertson said.

"The Government had to be dragged kicking and screaming to do something about alcohol-fuelled violence.

"We haven't seen the legislation on all those other issues. We're awaiting the detail of all that.

"I have to say it's very disappointing that we're still waiting, on such an important issue, to see the legislation the Government will introduce."

Greens fear 'knee-jerk' reaction

Greens MP John Kaye says the measures are a "knee-jerk" reaction.

"We don't believe there's evidence to justify what they're doing," he said.

"We don't believe we can justify imposing on responsible late night venue goers measures that are probably going to fail."

The Greens believe the real issues are being ignored.

A small group protests outside the NSW Parliament against the Government's one-punch laws. ( AAP: Dean Lewins )

"The dangerous promotions of deep discounting of alcohol, the failure to enforce responsible service of alcohol in venues and excessive liquor outlet density," Dr Kaye said.

But Premier O'Farrell says the legislation puts punishment for one-punch attacks in line with community expectations.

"The concern I have is that the judiciary has not been doing their job," he said.

"So successive parliaments have been giving our courts substantial penalties to hand out, and yet over the past four years, the penalty for manslaughter has been on average less than four years.

"That is clearly out of step with the community."

The Premier said on Wednesday that he wanted the legislation passed by Friday.

"We're in the hands of the Legislative Council, but my message to all members of the Legislative Council is that the community's demanded tough action," Mr O'Farrell said.

"These are tough measures and I would encourage them to give them the priority that they deserve.

Sorry, this video has expired Danny Green talks about his anti-coward punch ad

"We want to have, in particular, the one-punch, the death by assault legislation, in place and operational by this weekend."

Other laws for serious violent assaults are set to be looked at next month.

Meanwhile, commercial television networks have begun broadcasting a campaign against one-punch assaults funded by professional boxer Danny Green.

The State Government struck a deal with the seven networks to show the ad depicting Green intervening before one man punches another.

It will air until the Government's own community awareness and media campaigns begin.

Green paid for the advertisement out of his own pocket two years ago, after a fatal assault in his hometown of Perth.