Victorian retailers are urgently removing banned machetes from their stores following the introduction of a landmark prohibition on sales. Premier Jacinta Allan announced the swift enactment of this ban on Monday, prompted by a violent weekend incident in Melbourne that resulted in a shopping centre lockdown and hospitalisation of three accused youth gang members.
Effective from midday today, the interim ban restricts the sale of knives with blades longer than 20 centimetres, with the exception of kitchen knives. As per Australian consumer law, such restrictions can only be imposed temporarily, but a total ban on machete possession is set to start with an amnesty period from September 1.
Concerns have arisen regarding the enforcement of the ban during this interim period. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Victoria Police are collaborating to monitor online sales of large knives entering from other states and overseas. However, local merchants feel abandoned in enforcing the rule, as they scramble to assess their inventory and comply.
Victoria Police Commander Tim Tully acknowledged the challenge, indicating that the task of policing compliance with the ban would fall to the Consumer Affairs taskforce. Retailers have expressed frustration, claiming that they are being asked to manage a situation largely out of their control.
Allan previously faced criticism for suggesting that the machete ban could not be fast-tracked. The state government has advised store owners to secure leftover blades until the amnesty period begins. They emphasised the urgency of removing these weapons from public access, stating, “We must get these knives off shelves, off streets, and out of our lives.”