Drop Off Your Machete At Werribee Bin Tomorrow

A machete disposal bin is now in place at Werribee Police Station as Victoria’s machete ban begins on 1 September.

From tomorrow, owning, buying, selling or carrying a machete without exemption will be an offence, with penalties including fines of more than $47,000 or up to two years in prison.

Police Minister Anthony Carbines said, “From tomorrow, machetes are banned in Victoria and anyone carrying a machete will face tough consequences. This is just one of the many new laws that we’re implementing to back the work of Victoria Police, including Australia’s toughest bail test.”

An amnesty period will run until 30 November, allowing people to surrender machetes safely and anonymously at disposal bins outside more than 40 police stations.

But the $13 million program has already drawn sarcastic local reactions. Amedeo said, “Just imagine that someone came up with this ‘brilliant’ idea that required a pile of documents, meetings, a project manager, a graphic designer, a bunch of welders, contractors. Just wow.”

Lou added, “What a great idea, like those using or having intentions of misusing machetes are definitely going to pop their weapons here…please.”

Cugley was equally doubtful: “Yes I can see attempted murderers and armed robbers walking into the cop shop and saying sorry about that, here’s my machete!”

Consumer Affairs Minister Nick Staikos defended the program, saying, “Our Machete Taskforce has been diligent and effective in drying up in-store and online machete sales in Victoria through proactive monitoring of the market, physical inspections and responding to tip-offs.”

Since May, when the government ordered machetes off shelves, Consumer Affairs has completed more than 3,000 inspections, reporting high compliance among retailers. Exemptions to the ban will apply for agricultural workers who rely on machetes for their jobs, and for items with cultural, historical or traditional significance.