Victoria's machete ban fast-tracked after shoppers terrified by Northland brawl
The ban, an Australian-first, was to begin on September 1, but was brought forward after Sunday's brawl at Northland Shopping Centre in Preston.
Premier Jacinta Allan announced on Monday the ban would take effect at midday on Wednesday.
'We're doing this today as quickly as possible because we must never let the places where we gather, the places where families come together to shop, to enjoy the peace of their weekend, become places we fear,' she said.
Retailers must not supply machetes, broadly described as knives with a blade longer than 20 centimetres, for sale or possess them with an intent to sell with no exemptions.
The ban follows the violent brawl breaking out at the shopping centre on Sunday afternoon in front of horrified onlookers. A 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy have since been charged, and are due to front a children's court on Monday.
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The fight, which spilled into outdoor and indoor areas of the shopping centre, left a 20-year-old man with serious injuries. He was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he remained in a stable condition on Monday.
Two other males involved have since sought hospital treatment, police said. Police are working to identify others involved in the affray, which they believe was an act of 'retaliation' after another incident on Saturday.
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