STAFFWRITERS
THE state government has used extraordinary powers to totally ban the sale of machetes.
Machete sale bans came into effect Wednesday, May 28.
Premier Jacinta Allan joined Minister for Police, Anthony Carbines and Minister for Consumer Affairs, Nick Staikos to announce the unprecedented ban on machete sales.
The dangerous knives are coming off retail shelves now to dry up the machete market ahead of a legislated ban on machete possession coming into effect on September 1, 2025.
Interim sale ban on May 28: Australia’s first total ban on machete sales.
Commonwealth consumer law allows a state minister for consumer affairs to introduce an interim ban on the sale of certain consumer goods for a time-limited period.
Using these powers, Victoria will ban the sale of machetes from 12 noon on Wednesday, May 28.
The interim machete sale ban will expire when it is superseded by the legislated prohibition on the sale and possession of machetes that will come into effect on September 1, 2025.
When the interim sale ban is declared at noon, a supplier (e.g. a retailer) must not supply the banned item for sale or possess them with the intent to sell during the banned period.
The interim sale ban will cover machetes, which are broadly described as a cutting edge knife with a blade of more than 20 centimetres.
The interim sale ban does not include knives primarily used in kitchens.
The purpose of the interim sale ban is to dry up the supply of these items as much as possible before the possession ban comes into place.
A supplier who fails to comply with the ban may be found guilty of a criminal offence.
This is the toughest ban on the sale of machetes that has ever been attempted in Australia.
There will be no exemptions to allow the sale of machetes during the interim sale ban – Australian consumer law doesn’t allow it. It is a total ban on sales.
This means some consumers who will be entitled to possess a machete with an exemption when machetes are prohibited will be denied the ability to buy them at all during the interim sale ban.
Machetes will be classified as a prohibited weapon from September 1, 2025.
There will be exemptions
IF people wish to get a machete for an allowed purpose such as agriculture, they will need to apply for an exemption. The government is consulting with industry on the exemptions framework.
To get these weapons off the streets safely, an amnesty will run from September 1 to November 30, 2025.
During that time, people will be able to safely dispose of their knives without committing a crime. They will be able to do this using secure bins in safe locations at outdoor areas at select police stations. These bins will start opening on September 1, 2025.
Penalties of two years imprisonment or a fine of more than $47,000 for being caught in possession will apply.
Despite the move, the Opposition says there is still gaping holes.
Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron has described it as “nothing but a face-saving stunt”.
“Last year, Labor refused to support a proposed amendment to the Firearms and Control of Weapons Bill that would have made machetes prohibited weapons,” Mr Cameron said.
“For two years Jacinta Allan has dragged her feet while Victorians have been held to ransom by machete-wielding thugs.
“It’s only now under immense pressure from the Opposition and outraged communities that Labor has implemented a ban on the sale of machetes, after earlier claiming it couldn’t be done until September.
“Jacinta Allan has done more backflips during her time as Premier than Simone Biles at the Paris Olympics. But this is a Band-Aid solution – it won’t get machetes off our streets, and it certainly won’t make people feel safer walking them.
“We need a ban on the possession of machetes, not just a ban on selling them. This move shifts responsibility onto local businesses, while violent offenders continue sourcing weapons online or through existing stock.
“This announcement is nothing more than a face-saving stunt from Jacinta Allan who is more concerned with keeping her seat than keeping Victorians safe.
The state government voted down a bill put forward by The Nationals and Liberals to immediately ban machetes in state parliament.
Nationals Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath took Labor to task for its political stunt that removed machetes from sale, but not streets.
“Machetes can still be possessed because Labor has for the fifth time in two years refused to close the legal loophole that allows these large knives to be carried around,” she said.
“Labor’s delays in tightening regulation around machete possession are disgraceful.
“The Allan government continues to put headlines before community safety. With serious knife crime growing, the public just want them off our streets.”
