PEOPLE who attack and kill others without warning in “one punch” incidents will spend at least a decade behind bars under new Victorian laws.

The state government announced the changes yesterday, with those who punch unsuspecting victims without warning to face a 10 year minimum jail term if convicted.

Graeme Wilson — who lost his stepson Brad Betts in a one-punch attack in Lavington in 1997 — said he supported the proposal.

“They shouldn’t just get a slap on the wrist, particularly if it’s a coward king-hit punch,” he said.

“So many have occurred since our incident that you read about in the paper.

“You do remember your own incident and it does affect you.

“It’s another family that has to go through all the stuff we went through.”

Mr Wilson said while he agreed with the changes — which follow the introduction of eight-year minimum jail terms in NSW for similar incidents — he was not sure if it would stop the problem.

“Young people are still going to go out, get full of grog, get agro and want to fight,” he said.

Member for Benambra Bill Tilley said there was no excuse for such assaults, which are often referred to as “one-punch” or “coward punch” attacks.

“Every weekend somewhere in Victoria, there’s a fight which ends with serious consequences,” he said. “Not every time it’s a death, but enough is enough and the government’s had to take a strong position.

“The boxing ring is a place to go with those legitimate sporting pursuits, but not in the pub.”

The laws will apply to those who punch or strike someone in the head without warning, resulting in their death.

The sentence will apply whether the death is caused by the punch or the person’s head hitting the ground.

The legislation will be introduced into parliament by Attorney-General Robert Clark this week, Mr Tilley said, and the government wants to have the laws enacted by summer.

Mr Clark said the legislation would include minimum 10-year jail terms for people involved in gang attacks which resulted in death.

“There have been horrific and terrifying attacks in which gangs viciously kick and stomp a victim, resulting in death,” he said.

“This will better protect the community by deterring these attacks.”