Australia’s Victoria state urges citizens to surrender their MACHETES or face punishment

08/06/2025 / By Ramon Tomey

Australia’s Victoria state will prohibit machetes starting Sept. 1, with a three-month amnesty (until Nov. 30) allowing anonymous surrender via reinforced bins at police stations.
After the amnesty, possession carries severe consequences – up to two years in prison or a A$47,000 AUD fine – with exemptions for agricultural, cultural or traditional uses.
The ban is a response to surging youth violence, including a 161 percent rise in shopping-center blade assaults since 2014, often linked to African youth gangs in Melbourne.
Critics call it a superficial fix ignoring root causes like migration-related gang activity, while supporters argue it’s vital for public safety. Enforcement has been strict, with retailers (e.g., Amazon) swiftly complying.
Similar to policies like the U.K.’s “ninja sword” ban, Victoria’s move reignites debates over weapon restrictions’ efficacy versus civil liberties amid rising urban crime. Success hinges on long-term enforcement and violence trends.

In a bid to crack down on knife-related violence, the state of Victoria in Australia has outlawed machetes – ordering citizens to surrender theirs or face punishment.

Victoria’s ban on machetes is set to take effect on Sept. 1, but the state government has announced a three-month amnesty period ending Nov. 30. In line with this, more than 40 reinforced disposal bins have been installed outside police stations statewide. This allows Victorians to surrender their machetes anonymous without being penalized.

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan announced the measure alongside Police Minister Anthony Carbines in a press conference on July 31. In a statement, she framed the prohibition as a proactive strike against weapons that “destroy lives.”

The machete ban follows a surge in violent youth crime, with Victoria Police confiscating an average of 44 illegal blades daily in 2025. Critics argue the move fails to address root causes like migration-fueled gang activity, while proponents insist it’s a necessary step toward public safety. (Related: Gun control now turns to machete control as NY lawmaker tries to criminalize common agricultural tool.)

After the end of the amnesty period, those possessing a machete could face severe penalties – including up to two years prison or a fine of more than 47,000 Australian dollars ($30,358). Exemptions are allowed for agricultural, cultural or traditional uses.

Will Victoria’s machete crackdown stop the violence?

The policy arrives amid escalating crime data. Government reports show a 161 percent increase in shopping-center blade assaults since 2014, with youths aged 10 to 17 disproportionately involved in robberies and car thefts. Authorities attribute part of the spike to African youth gangs in Melbourne, though Allan has consistently praised Victoria’s multiculturalism.

The ban mirrors recent Western restrictions, such as the United Kingdom’s prohibition of “ninja swords” that similarly faced accusations of sidestepping deeper societal issues like migration policy. Carbines warned offenders during the Thursday press conference at Melbourne West Police Station: “Our message is simple. Get rid of them or face the consequences.”

Victoria’s government has already enforced a temporary machete sales ban since May, compelling retailers like Amazon to remove listings. Consumer Affairs Victoria inspections uncovered minimal noncompliance – just seven stores – suggesting most vendors adhered swiftly. The measure complements broader reforms, including expanded stop-and-search powers and stricter bail laws targeting repeat offenders.

Yet skepticism persists. Social media users ridicule disposal bins as superficial fixes, while advocates of personal liberty question the encroachment on tool ownership. Historically, weapon bans have sparked debates over efficacy versus civil freedoms, from Australia’s 1996 firearm restrictions to the U.S. “assault weapons” discourse.

As Victoria prepares for the ban’s rollout, the outcome may hinge on enforcement and long-term crime trends. The amnesty period offers a grace window, but its success – and the policy’s legacy – will depend on whether confiscated machetes are replaced by other weapons or a genuine decline in violence. For now, the state’s experiment joins a global reckoning over balancing security and individual rights in an era of rising urban disorder.

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Watch this clip of a machete-wielding migrant in the United Kingdom getting tasered by British police.

This video is from the HaloRock™ channel on Brighteon.com.