The Victorian Government has named places where people can dispose of their unwanted machetes ahead of a state-wide ban on them.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Shepparton will be among towns where people will be able to get rid of their machetes as part of an amnesty ahead of a ban on machetes in Victoria.
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From September 1, owning, carrying, using, buying, or selling a machete without a valid exemption or approval will be a criminal offence.
More than 40 safe disposal bins will be available at police stations across Victoria to allow people to safely dispose of machetes during the amnesty period from September 1 to November 30.
As well as Shepparton, other sites in the region include Echuca, Seymour, Wangaratta and Bendigo
The heavy duty steel bins are roughly 900mm by 1200mm in size, with a 70mm concrete base to ensure they are secure and have feet to allow for safe removal.
Machete disposal bins like this one will be available at police stations including Shepparton, Echuca and Seymour.
A public awareness campaign launched this week calls on Victorians to surrender their machetes during the amnesty or face up to two years imprisonment or a fine of more than $47,000.
Agricultural workers who use machetes as part of their job, and machetes that are used in a traditional, historical, or cultural capacity, will be exempted.
Anyone covered by an exemption must comply with strict conditions and be able to demonstrate eligibility if asked by police.
To choke the supply of machetes, the government ordered them off shelves with an interim sales ban announced in May.
Since then, Consumer Affairs Victoria inspected more than 470 retailers to enforce the ban — with only seven stores and one market vendor found to be breaking the law.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan was pleased to announce the location of the machete disposal bins this week.
“These knives destroy lives — so we’re taking them off the streets,” Ms Allan said.
“Victorians have zero tolerance for knife crime and so do we — we’re enacting this ban and boosting Victoria Police’s powers because community safety always comes first.”
Police Minister Anthony Carbines said the government was backing Victoria Police “who work tirelessly to get these weapons out of young people’s hands and keep people safe”.
“Our message to anyone with these weapons is simple — get rid of them or face the consequences,” he said.
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