An Australian state has asked citizens to hand over Machetes to removal bins prior to a ban on the entire state of the weapons that are aimed at combating knife crime.
The state of Victoria in Australia announced on Thursday that more than 40 machete waste bins will be available at police states in the entire state to enable citizens to safely get rid of the weapons without a fine before the prohibition starts on 1 September.
“Owning, wearing, using, buying or selling a machete without a valid exemption or approval will be a criminal offense,” said the Victorian government in a statement.
The government has a “machete amnesty” period from 1 September to 30 November to support the safe removal of Machetes. Those who do not surrender their machetes during the amnesty period can be confronted with a prison sentence of a maximum of two years or a fine of more than $ 47,000 AUD ($ 31,725 US dollars).
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Victorian Prime Minister Jacinta Allan and Victorian Minister of Police Anthony Carbines inspect a Machete Amnesty Safety Defense Bak during an announcement on the state of the State at the Melbourne West police station in Melbourne, Victoria, Thursday 31 July 2025.
(AAP -Image/Joel Carrett)
“These knives destroy lives – so we take them off the street”, Victoria Prime Minister Jacinta Allan said in a statement.
Prime Minister of Victoria Jacinta Allan said that the Victorian police are taking the weapons off the street to help protect the community. (Asanka Ratnayake/Getty images for Cricket Australia, File)
Victoria Police has seized a record number of illegal blades from the streets, on average at least 44 blades per day, Sky News Australia reported.
A representation of knives and machetes confiscated by the police in South Australia on Sunday 29 June 2025. (AAP image/supplied by the Australian government)
Police Minister Anthony Carbines said that the government supports the police of Victoria to get the weapons out of the hands of young people to keep citizens safe.
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“Our message to everyone with these weapons is simple – get them to or face the consequences,” Carbines said in a statement.
Exemptions for those who can possess a machete include agricultural workers which they use as part of their work, together with machetes that, according to the government, are used in a traditional, historical or cultural capacity. Persons are exempt, must meet strict conditions and be able to qualify if the police are asked.
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The Victoria government said that it had already issued a temporary ban on the sale of Machetes in May, so that Amazon removed the weapons for the purchase of its website.
