Australian authorities order Australians to give up large knives or face penalties
(MENAFN) Residents of Victoria, Australia, are now required to hand over their machetes or face penalties including up to two years in prison and fines exceeding $30,000, following the implementation of a new weapons ban aimed at curbing escalating violent crime.
The Victorian government has introduced a total prohibition on the possession, sale, and use of machetes, effective from September 1. Citizens have been granted a three-month amnesty period to comply with the law, with officials warning that after November 30, anyone found with a machete without a valid exemption will be committing a criminal offense.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Police Minister Anthony Carbines announced on Thursday that more than 40 collection bins have been placed throughout the state, including locations outside police stations in neighborhoods experiencing high levels of violence.
Exceptions to the ban apply to agricultural workers and individuals who use machetes for traditional or cultural purposes, although they must be able to prove their eligibility to authorities upon request.
This crackdown comes amid a reported increase in gang-related youth crime. Victoria Police have noted an average seizure of 44 illegal blades daily in 2025. Government data reveals a 161% rise in assaults involving edged weapons at shopping centers since 2014.
Young offenders aged 10 to 17 make up 13% of all offenders but are responsible for 63% of robberies, 46% of aggravated burglaries, and over 25% of vehicle thefts.
The policy has faced ridicule and criticism from some community members, with social media users questioning the effectiveness of the machete collection bins. Critics argue the government is overlooking deeper causes of the crime surge, highlighting concerns about migration and activities linked to armed African youth gangs in Melbourne. Meanwhile, Premier Allan has consistently praised Victoria’s commitment to diversity and multiculturalism.
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