‘No need for children to be around these items’: Knife expo advertises free under-16 entry
The partner of woman who was killed in a random knife attack says he is against the idea of SA’s knife expo, while the show’s organisers say it is about showcasing “talented artisans”.
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An anti-knife crime advocate whose fiance was killed in an alleged random attack has criticised organisers of the Adelaide Knife Show for advertising free entry to under-16s.
Advertisements for the Adelaide Showground event describe it as “South Australia’s premier knife show”, showcasing ornamental blades available for purchase to hobbyists and collectors.
The Knife Art Association, which has run the expo for 27 years, told The Advertiser that under-16s must be accompanied by an adult and minors are not allowed to purchase knives at the show.
However, Chris Smith, whose partner Julie Seed, 38, was allegedly murdered at her real estate office last December, said he “(did) not accept the way they have advertised and promoted their event”.
Mr Smith, who publicly supports raising the legal age to purchase a knife from 16 to 18, was worried that youths attending could be encouraged to view knives “as toys”.
“I appreciate that children cannot buy said weapons or tools, but there is no need for children to be around these sorts of dangerous items at all,” Mr Smith said.
“Teaching youths the safety of knife handling can be done at home with a simple kitchen knife.
“I am totally against an event like this from the start, with the way it is promoted and used. Knife crime is bad enough as it is across Australia and the world, but here we are promoting an event for underage kids to attend and wave it in their face for free.”
In July, Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the state government was considering lifting the legal age to purchase knifes, but the opposition wants to go further and completely ban machetes, which have been used in a spate of gang-related crimes.
A Knife Art Association spokesman said the organisation acknowledged community concerns about knife crime but was “committed to promoting the safe and responsible use of knives”.
The spokesman said there were more than 15,000 knife-makers across the country, “many recognised as among the best in the world”, and the Adelaide expo “showcases talented artisans whose work connects us to hundreds and thousands of years-old skills”.
“Knives are fundamental tools in daily life, used by everyone to prepare meals and complete countless other practical tasks,” he said.
“We strictly adhere to laws prohibiting the sale of knives to minors and fully support measures to increase the minimum age for such purchases.
“We believe it is vital for adults to guide young people in understanding and safely using these essential tools, which they will encounter throughout their lives.”
The show runs from 23–24 November.
Ms Seed’s accused killer, 31-year-old Shaun Michaels Dunk, will return to court in December, charged with murder and attempting to murder her co-worker Sue Scardigno, 50.
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Originally published as ‘No need for children to be around these items’: Knife expo advertises free under-16 entry
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