Rita Panahi: Machete ban not going stop violent, lawless thugs

It is much easier for Victoria’s weak politicians to squabble about a machete ban instead of actually tackling the deeper issues around the criminal justice system.

Victorians are saddled with politicians that are overwhelmingly weak and reactive. It’s hard not to reach that conclusion when you see the response to the surge in gang violence in this state.

The kneejerk reaction is to ban machetes rather than meaningfully tackle the deeper issues around the criminal justice system, generations of lawless thugs and the over-representation of certain ethnic groups in the crime statistics.

All of that is far too hard, much easier to squabble about when a machete ban will be implemented.

Does the Spring St brains trust really think that violent, recidivist criminals are going to abide by a machete ban?

The last time I checked home invasions, thievery and bashings were illegal but the machete wielders nevertheless commit them with gay abandon.

And, why not when the punishment is often no more than a few hours of inconvenience, and that’s if they’re unlucky enough to get caught.

Teenagers out on bail were allegedly involved in the Northland machete attack.

The teens allegedly involved in the machete fight at Northland Shopping Centre on Sunday were out on bail, two of their co-accused were immediately bailed, one of whom was already out on bail for a separate incident.

Victoria’s ‘tough new bail laws’ are clearly not tough enough.

Libertarian MP David Limbrick is critical of the Jacinta Allan government’s symbolism over substance response.

“This machete ban won’t solve anything. Criminals will either ignore the law – because that is what criminals do – or find other weapons,” he told me.

“There is a much deeper problem where we have people in the community who don’t share Australian values, and a justice system that allows them to run wild around our shopping centres.

“What’s worse is law abiding Victorians are not allowed to carry pepper spray to protect themselves. No wonder people feel unsafe.”

Police respond to the brawl at Northland on Sunday. Picture: Josie Hayden.

Retired police inspector and Community Advocacy Alliance CEO Ivan Ray agrees that the bans will be largely futile.

“They are kidding themselves if they think those yobbos are going to throw their machetes in a bin outside a police station,” he told me.

“They should be targeting the people carrying the machete, not just the weapon. They should introduce legislation banning the carriage of any edged weapon, unless the person has a lawful reason to be carrying it with the onus on the individual to prove it’s lawful.”

Even if these thugs find it hard to acquire machetes after a ban it doesn’t mean they’ll be any less dangerous. I don’t know about you but being stabbed with a large hunting or kitchen knife doesn’t sound any more appealing than being on the pointy end of a machete.

Rita Panahi is a Herald Sun columnist