The father of coward-punch victim Daniel Christie has criticised the implementation of Sydney’s lockout laws. Appearing on a special episode of SBS’ The Feed, Michael Christie said he supports the laws, but disagrees with how they’ve been rolled out.

Last night’s episode of The Feed featured a forum discussion on the city’s controversial late-night laws, which were implemented with a view to curbing alcohol-fuelled violence in the wake of Daniel Christie’s coward-punch death on New Year’s Eve in 2013.

When The Feed host Marc Fennell asked Daniel’s father how he felt about having the controversial laws enacted in his son’s name, Christie suggested he feels conflicted about the situation, saying he was never consulted about them.

“One, I have a lot of pride over it,” he began, “but secondly I have a lot of disgust because I was told by the then-Premier Barry O’Farrell that I would be able to discuss with him and the relevant Ministers these changes.”

“Well, I’m still waiting for Barry O’Farrell to ring back. So the point is, I’ve had very little input but yet I’m the one that’s labeled with this thing about Daniel’s death.” Christie agreed that his son’s death has been politicised.

In an article written for SBS, Christie said he is “still waiting for a call, although I’ve read that I’ve been consulted” and argued that the lockout laws will fail to prevent more deaths unless they are accompanies by more education and a rethink of alcohol distribution.

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“Whatever happens to the lockout laws young men will continue to lose their lives,” he wrote. “It is not a youth problem, it is a drinking culture problem. Monkey see, monkey do. Our only hope is that young people will have strong consistent role models in their lives that reflect balance and tolerance.”

“That they, in turn, find the strength to live simply by loving and respecting themselves and respecting others. That they find enjoyment in life without the need for excessive alcohol. And that they educate those that less well equipped to change.”

You can watch a clip of Christie’s appearance on The Feed below or watch the full episode via SBS On-Demand. The episode also features appearances from Tyson Koh of Keep Sydney Open and Senator David Leyonhjelm.

Michael, father of one-punch fatality Dan Christie, on the laws enacted in his son's name. Feed Forum: Lockout Laws airs tonight at 7.30pm on SBS 2

Posted by The Feed SBS onMonday, March 21, 2016

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