A first-of-its-kind machete prohibition will be swiftly implemented following a state government's reluctance to prohibit these lethal instruments for over 12 months.
Legislation will be fast-tracked through the Victorian parliament to prohibit the buying and selling of machetes starting from September 1st as a measure against their increasing usage.
In the last year, there have been 265 instances of aggravated burglary in the state where machetes were used.
Broad-bladed weapons were also involved in three murders over the last six months.
Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan informed journalists on Thursday that it took the United Kingdom 18 months to implement a ban on machetes.
It will be completed within six months.
In 2024, Victorian authorities seized over 15,000 bladed weapons, marking a decade peak, according to Acting Chief Commissioner Rick Nugent.
Teenage gang members were progressively resorting to machetes for use in street brawls, attacks, vehicle hijackings, severe break-ins, and raids on homes.
"There are entirely too many machetes in this state, and they are involved in far too many incidents," Mr Nugent stated.
If the new bill passes through the upper house next week, individuals found with a machete could be sentenced to up to two years in jail or fined over $47,000.
The state government has not yet determined exactly what qualifies as a machete, but they have indicated that these weapons can generally be described as knives with blades longer than 20 centimeters.
An amnesty period lasting three months will commence on the day the prohibition comes into force, permitting individuals to relinquish their machetes by depositing them in secure containers located at various places like police stations without encountering repercussions.
"machetes are ruining lives... and we aim to dismantle these weapons," Ms Allan stated.
Exceptions to the ban will be granted solely under specific conditions, such as for hunting and agricultural purposes.
Wayne Gatt, the Victorian Police Association secretary, stated that there is no justifiable reason for having machetes in public spaces, referring to these tools as "instruments of fear and coercion."
In March 2024, machetes were classified as a restricted item, which means they cannot be owned, carried, or utilized without a valid reason. Additionally, these tools may not be sold to individuals who are below the age of 18 years old.
However, the Allan administration has consistently thwarted efforts from the opposition since 2023 to implement a complete machete prohibition.
"Advice comes from Victoria Police, not from the opposition," stated Police Minister Anthony Carbines.
The leader desires key stores to halt orders for machetes before the prohibition comes into effect, and Victoria plans to correspond with the federal authority to address import issues and consider a nationwide restriction.
Victoria’s law enforcement will soon have permission to carry out both spontaneous and planned firearms inspections in specific zones for as long as half a year.
At present, their search operations are confined to specific regions for a maximum of 12 hours. These locations have to be announced beforehand, and law enforcement is prohibited from revisiting these spots for at least 10 days after the initial sweep.
Officers don't need a warrant to stop people but Mr Nugent sought to reassure the public that police rely on "intelligence".
Recently, NSW has criminalized carrying or wielding a knife in public spaces or schools, whereas Queensland has prohibited the sale of knives to individuals under 18 years old.
In the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory, it is against the law to have knives in public areas unless you have a valid reason.
