Crimes (Coward Punch Causing Death) Amendment Bill

Bills are proposals to make a new law or to change an existing one. Only Parliament can pass a bill. Each bill goes through several stages, giving MPs and the public the chance to have their say.

This bill creates a new offence that would allow for a specific "king-hit" or "coward's punch" type offence in response to a number of deaths where the individual killed was assaulted and died as a result of their injuries. Those convicted of the so-called "one punch" assaults will receive a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment.