Coward punch victim urges NSW Premier Mike Baird to 'stop playing God' after lock-out law response
A Sydney coward punch victim has spoken out about the city’s controversial lock-out laws, despite spending five days in hospital with a concussion and broken fibula, as a result of alcohol fueled violence.
In a letter addressed to NSW Premier Mike Baird, Max Hardwick-Morris joined the chorus of residents, business owners and artists who have slammed the laws in recent weeks.
In the letter, Mr Hardwick-Morris said he was currently in hospital after ‘being coward punched on Australia Day’.
“I spent 5 days in hospital with concussion and a broken fibula that required surgery to implant a plate and 6 screws up the side of my leg,” he said.
“I write to you to express my disdain with the manner in which you've recently attempted to defend your lock-out policies, particularly with the upcoming review.”
Mr Hardwick-Morris said he was aware his incident could have lead to his death, but felt Mr Baird had used unfortunate coward punches to ‘further (a) political agenda’.
He went on to question why The Star casino was the only venue excluded from the ‘nanny state’ rules.
“Excluding these venues/areas, coupled with the fact 13 venues have been given exemptions only to keep pokies room open begs so many questions to be asked about your government's agenda,” he said.
He then accused Premier Baird of 'lying' to the public, and 'forging statistics' to back his argument.
“You mustn't have left your house past sunset in months within the confines of the CBD and surrounding areas as if you had you'd see it's an absolute ghost town. It's become an international joke,” he said.
“Mr Baird, you're killing Sydney's economy, you're killing small business, you're killing Sydney's music scene, you're killing Sydney's reputation, you're killing the youth's relationship with the government and you're killing fun.”
He also accused the premier of ‘playing God’.
“I really hope you sit down and read these emails, the articles on the Internet, the memes mocking your policies, use an actual independent source to review the laws and above all else, listen to the review and don't reject it before you read it like you already seem to be doing.”
The NSW government has received thousands of criticisms in recent days, with many speaking out about their problems with the lock-out laws and the tragic effect they say they’ve had on Sydney.
Since being introduced in March 2014, Sydney’s city centre and Kings Cross bar precinct patrons aren’t permitted to enter a drinking venue after 1.30am or buy a drink after 3am.
Statewide you cannot purchase alcohol from a shop after 10pm on any night of the week.
