Perspectives in Criminology

Running head: PERSPECTIVES IN CRIMINOLOGY
Perspectives in Criminology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PERSPECTIVES IN CRIMINOLOGY
Question 1:
From the very beginning, alcohol related violence and violence and violence related to
one punching has been the major topic of debate in the politics of NSW. However, various
measures were implemented over last few years for the purpose of combating this problem.
Before the legislative reforms and measures could be emphasized, it is important to have
knowledge regarding the actual matter. On July 2012, it was observed that Thomas Kelly, a
teenager, who was put to death by a violence alcohol-fuelled act on the part of Kieran Loveridge.
However, general public was of the opinion that, Kieran Loveridge should be imposed with a
vigorous sentencing. It was observed that he was sentenced to NPP (non-parole period) for a
period of four years. The media and the general public immediately reacted to the judgment.
However, the reaction of the New South Wales Government was immediate in addressing the
seriousness of the issue and therefore proposed the development of the newly implemented “one
punch” law.
In the perspective of modern researchers, an examination was conducted on the evolution
and operation of punch laws in Australia (Flynn et al. 2015). Modern authors were of the opinion
that after analyzing the history and operation of criminal, unlawful and dangerous activities in
Australia, the implementation of punch law is not the appropriate remedy (Quilter 2015). Firstly,
it has been impossible on the part of the jurists to identify the relevant punch law for the purpose
of fulfilling the existing gaps in the laws of New South Wales regarding alcohol related fatal
violence. Secondly, with the implementation of one punch law, it may create unfavorable impact
on the criminal justice system in response to the existing domestic crimes (Quilter 2014).
Thirdly, it has been proposed that punch law has the potentiality to reduce prison sentences in

2PERSPECTIVES IN CRIMINOLOGY
cases involving death as a result of single punch however; this can create opposite reaction on
the part of the government authorities.
In Australia, first punch law was first proposed in August 2007 through a Bill of a private
member of the Attorney General in the Queensland Parliament. The Bill was applied in the case
of R v Little and R v Moody which involved plea in relation to manslaughter. It was observed
that with the implementation of the Bill, it attracted huge media publicity for three consecutive
prosecutions for the crime involving one punch deaths. In this regard, it was observed that two of
them were discharged and the other was led to a plea for manslaughter. While introducing the
Bill, it was clearly explained by the Attorney-General that the Bill was implemented for the
purpose of responding towards the concern regarding community in relation to the existing
punch cases. It was observed that the Bill sought to introduce a new offence related to unlawful
assault causing death which would be applicable to a maximum sentencing of seven years.
However, after all the efforts, the Parliament failed to pass the Bill.
Question 2:
It is noteworthy to mention here that various public debates and political actions in
relation to the offences of alcohol violence and manslaughter can be related to neoliberal
ideologies. It is evident that from the very beginning, the existence pressures and contradictions
are common in neo-liberalism. However, it is important to emphasize on the moral aspects of
neo-liberalism which can be related to the subject-matter of neoliberal politics. It is worthwhile
to mention here that although the subject-matter of neo-liberalism forms an important feature of
various sociological and political debates, the major elements are often ignored (Loader and
Sparks 2016). In this regard, it is important to provide the definition of neo-liberalism. Neo-