Australians commanded to give up machetes or face jail time

(MENAFN) Residents of Victoria, Australia, have been ordered to hand over their machetes or face severe penalties, including up to two years in prison and fines over $30,000, as part of a sweeping new weapons ban aimed at curbing violent crime.

The ban, announced by Premier Jacinta Allan and Police Minister Anthony Carbines, will take effect on September 1, with a three-month amnesty period ending on November 30. After that date, possessing, selling, or using a machete without an official exemption will be illegal. To assist with compliance, more than 40 collection bins have been placed throughout the state, particularly in areas with high crime rates.

Exemptions will be available for agricultural workers and individuals with legitimate cultural or traditional reasons for possessing a machete, but they must provide evidence to authorities upon request.

The crackdown follows a notable increase in gang-related violence and youth crime. According to police, Victoria has been seizing an average of 44 illegal blades daily in 2025. Since 2014, assaults involving edged weapons in shopping centers have surged by 161%. Youths aged 10 to 17 account for 13% of total offenders, but represent 63% of robberies, 46% of aggravated burglaries, and over 25% of car thefts.

While the government views the ban as a necessary step for public safety, critics argue it’s a superficial solution. Many on social media have mocked the idea of machete drop boxes and say the policy fails to address the root causes of crime, such as immigration-related challenges and the rise of armed youth gangs, particularly those involving African migrants in Melbourne. Despite criticism, Premier Allan has continued to praise the state’s cultural diversity.

The move mirrors a recent UK policy banning “ninja swords,” which has also faced backlash for focusing on symptoms rather than causes of knife-related violence.

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