In a landmark move against public safety concerns, Victoria has announced that it will prohibit the sale of machetes starting Wednesday, advancing the original timeline by several months in response to a violent incident at a Melbourne shopping center. The quick decision follows a gang confrontation that occurred at the Northland shopping centre in Preston, resulting in a serious injury to a 20-year-old man who is currently hospitalized.
Victoria's Premier, Jacinta Allan, described the machete ban as a crucial step to "choke the supply" of these dangerous weapons, emphasizing that shopping centers should be safe havens for families, not battlegrounds. “The community shouldn't have to deal with these weapons in their shopping centres - neither should our police,” she stated.
The Melbourne gang fight, which unfolded on Sunday afternoon, involved two rival youth groups and saw several individuals engaged in a brawl that left one person seriously injured. Two teenage boys have already been charged with various offenses, including affray and possession of a controlled weapon, as law enforcement continues their investigation, with additional arrests anticipated. Authorities reported that of the four machetes used during the attack, three have been recovered, highlighting the need for immediate legislative action.
"As appalling as this incident is, such violent outbreaks are rare in Victoria," said David Clayton, the deputy police commissioner, noting that only one in ten knife crimes in the state is committed by youths, emphasizing the alarming yet infrequent nature of these events. The introduction of the new laws is part of a wider crackdown on weapons, initially proposed in March, which sought to amend the Control of Weapons Act.
Under this new legislation, machetes—defined as knives with blades longer than 20 centimeters—will be illegal to sell or possess. The ban excludes kitchen knives primarily intended for culinary use. A three-month amnesty will also be initiated, allowing individuals to surrender machetes at designated police stations without facing legal consequences.
In comparison, the UK took 18 months to implement a similar ban on machetes, while Victoria is achieving this change within a significantly shorter time frame. Police have acknowledged a civilian who intervened during the gang altercation, but have advised against public intervention in such dangerous situations.
This decisive move by Victoria authorities reflects an increasing recognition of the need to address and eliminate gang-related violence and weapon accessibility in public spheres, aiming to maintain the safety and integrity of community gathering spaces across the state.
Victoria's Premier, Jacinta Allan, described the machete ban as a crucial step to "choke the supply" of these dangerous weapons, emphasizing that shopping centers should be safe havens for families, not battlegrounds. “The community shouldn't have to deal with these weapons in their shopping centres - neither should our police,” she stated.
The Melbourne gang fight, which unfolded on Sunday afternoon, involved two rival youth groups and saw several individuals engaged in a brawl that left one person seriously injured. Two teenage boys have already been charged with various offenses, including affray and possession of a controlled weapon, as law enforcement continues their investigation, with additional arrests anticipated. Authorities reported that of the four machetes used during the attack, three have been recovered, highlighting the need for immediate legislative action.
"As appalling as this incident is, such violent outbreaks are rare in Victoria," said David Clayton, the deputy police commissioner, noting that only one in ten knife crimes in the state is committed by youths, emphasizing the alarming yet infrequent nature of these events. The introduction of the new laws is part of a wider crackdown on weapons, initially proposed in March, which sought to amend the Control of Weapons Act.
Under this new legislation, machetes—defined as knives with blades longer than 20 centimeters—will be illegal to sell or possess. The ban excludes kitchen knives primarily intended for culinary use. A three-month amnesty will also be initiated, allowing individuals to surrender machetes at designated police stations without facing legal consequences.
In comparison, the UK took 18 months to implement a similar ban on machetes, while Victoria is achieving this change within a significantly shorter time frame. Police have acknowledged a civilian who intervened during the gang altercation, but have advised against public intervention in such dangerous situations.
This decisive move by Victoria authorities reflects an increasing recognition of the need to address and eliminate gang-related violence and weapon accessibility in public spheres, aiming to maintain the safety and integrity of community gathering spaces across the state.
