Victoria’s machete ban officially becomes law but retailers given six-month deadline

Legislation to outlaw machetes has sailed through parliament, but the Allan government has struck down attempts to fast-track the ban.

Legislation to outlaw machetes has sailed through parliament, but the Allan government has struck down attempts to fast-track the ban.

Laws to prohibit the sale and possession of machetes in Victoria, which the Allan government has hailed as nation-leading, passed parliament on Wednesday afternoon.

With the ban to come into effect from September 1, retailers have been given a six-month deadline to stop selling the large knives which are more commonly being used by young criminals.

The government last week announced the statewide machete ban as part of its plan to stamp out rampant crime.

The opposition had sought to amend the legislation so that the ban could come into effect immediately, however the government said more time was needed.

Corrections and Youth Justice Minister Enver Erdogan said many of the retailers who stock machetes are “large operations” and require an “adjustment period for the way they handle these goods”.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan announced the statewide machete ban as part of her government’s plan to stamp out crime. Picture: David Crosling

The upper house signed off the legislation just after midnight on Wednesday during a marathon sitting.

The laws then sailed through the lower house on Wednesday afternoon, where the government holds a commanding majority.

Once the ban comes into force, those caught with a machete, who do not have an exemption, will face jail terms or fines of more than $47,000.

A three-month amnesty will run from September 1 to November 30 to allow for the safe disposal of prohibited weapons in bins at a range of outdoor locations including at police stations.

People wanting to hold a machete for a legitimate purpose – like agriculture – must apply for an exemption.

Under the changes, police will also have the power to search an area for weapons for up to six months.

The Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police can declare a location like a train station or a shopping centre a designated search area so officers can search people at random for weapons like knives without a warrant.

Before the changes a place could only be declared a designated search area for 12 hours at a time.

Police Minister Anthony Carbines said: “We’ll always give police what they need to keep Victorians safe and the passing of this bill today will immediately help Victoria Police to get more knives off our streets.”

Originally published as Victoria’s machete ban officially becomes law but retailers given six-month deadline