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The Victorian Government says there will be no ifs or buts when it comes to their new state-wide machete ban, which is set to come into effect on September 1.
Aside from the very rare agricultural exemptions in the state’s rural fruit belts, the Premier Jacinta Allan says nobody should have any need to own a machete in Victoria – unless they are doing the wrong thing.
This announcement follows a very public incident involving two rival youth gangs in Melbourne’s north over the weekend.
Large crowds of shoppers found themselves locked down in Preston’s Northland Shopping Centre on Sunday afternoon, as a brawl between eight armed juveniles broke out in the food court.
Victorian police have since arrested the ring leaders of the two gangs, with the state’s chief commissioner praising the swift actions of civilian vigilantes in breaking up the melee before anyone was hurt.
Images that have since gone viral on social media show several youths armed with machetes and wearing very expensive sportswear. This kind of emotive imagery has left the state government with no option but react accordingly.
On Monday morning, Premier Allan announced the sale of machetes would be banned from today, ahead of a legislated ban on possession which comes into effect on September 1.
“These knives are dangerous weapons, they have no place on our streets anywhere and that is why I will introduce as many laws [as it takes] to get these dangerous knives off the streets,” she said.
However, these new measures – while aimed at calming down outraged Victorians – have been met with backlash from responsible machete owners.
Local North Brunswick man, Albion Holmes (37) says he takes issue with the Premier treating machetes like dangerous weapons.
“It’s a household item mate”
“There’s thousands of people in this city that just go about their day responsibly husking coconuts, and reining in their Lantana bushes. What about them?”
Mr Holmes says he condems the actions of the youth gangs in Preston, but their stupidity shouldn’t affect his ability to manage his sugarcane.
“My front garden is overflowing with the stuff. And the Premier thinks I can cut it all down with sewing scissors?!”
“Give me a break”
