Machete attack re-ignites political debate after government rejected ban two months ago
The sale of machetes will be banned in Victoria with immediate effect as the Allan government seeks to stop the political fallout from an armed brawl between youth gangs at a shopping centre in Melbourne's north.
Although a full ban will not come into force until September 1, when long knives will be classified as a prohibited weapon under Victorian law, Premier Jacinta Allan announced it will become a criminal offence for retailers to sell them from 12pm Wednesday.
The decision follows a telephone hook-up between the premier and her senior ministers on Sunday after rival youth gangs armed with machetes rampaged through the Northland Shopping Centre in front of frightened shoppers.
Two months ago, the government rejected the idea of using consumer law to stop retail giant Anaconda and smaller, online sellers from stocking machetes, which are broadly defined as an edged weapon with a blade longer than 20 centimetres.
Under the Competition and Consumer Act, state ministers can unilaterally ban for up to 90 days goods which can cause injury. Any bans beyond that, including permanent ones, require federal government intervention.
Two sources familiar with the Victorian government's considerations, but unable to discuss them publicly, said a retail ban was talked about in March shortly before the government announced its planned machete prohibition, changes to bail laws and other 'tough on crime' measures.
The proposal was shelved amid government concerns a temporary ban would lapse before the prohibition came into effect and potentially, leave it reliant on a freshly elected Dutton government for a political fix.
Allan, speaking on Monday, condemned the Northland brawl and defended her decision not to use existing consumer laws earlier to ban the sale of machetes.
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