Victoria will introduce a full ban on machete sales, beginning at noon on Wednesday.
It follows a violent fight involving machetes in Melbourne’s northern suburbs on Sunday.
A legal ban on owning or selling the weapon was already slated to come into effect in September.
The Victorian Government said the move is aimed at “drying up the machete market” ahead of September.
Stabbing
On Sunday afternoon, emergency services were called to Melbourne’s Northland Shopping Centre following reports of up to 10 people involved in a brawl.
Witnesses have told media that some of those involved were armed with machetes.
Several people remain in hospital with injuries.
Two teenagers were arrested at the scene and remain in police custody, charged with multiple weapons offences.
The Ban
On Monday, Premier Jacinta Allan announced a short-term ban on the sale of machetes.
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The Government defines machetes as "a cutting edge knife with a blade of more than 20 centimetres,” excluding kitchen knives.
Earlier this year, the Government passed a law banning the sale and possession of machetes, which is due to come into effect on 1 September.
Following Sunday’s incident, it has now implemented an interim ban, lasting from noon on Wednesday until September.
The Government said there will be “no exemptions” for retailers, and any stores caught selling them during the interim ban will face criminal charges.
Retailers have been told to store machetes “in a safe location” until government-run disposal schemes begin in September.
Once the new law is in effect, exemptions will apply, such as for agricultural use, but only under strict conditions.
After that point, anyone caught with a machete for other purposes could face up to two years in prison or fines exceeding $47,000.
Comments
In a press release on Monday, Premier Jacinta Allan said public spaces should not “become places we fear... and I will keep introducing as many laws as it takes to get them off our streets, out of our shops and out of our lives.”
Police Minister Anthony Carbines supported the move, saying: “The community shouldn’t have to deal with these weapons in their shopping centres. Neither should our police.”
