Victorian retailers are rushing to remove machetes from their shelves as a new ban on the sale of the weapons takes effect.
Premier Jacinta Allan announced the fast-tracked ban following a violent weekend involving knife crimes, including a lockdown at a Melbourne shopping centre and injuries to three alleged youth gang members.
The interim ban, effective from midday today, prohibits the sale of knives with blades longer than 20 centimetres, excluding kitchenware.
Premier Allan clarified that under Australian consumer law, such bans can only be imposed on an interim basis.
A statewide machete possession amnesty period is set to begin on September 1.
However, concerns have been raised over how the ban will be enforced before the amnesty begins.
The AFP and Victoria Police are monitoring online sales of machetes from interstate and overseas sources.
Local retailers say they have been left to manage the situation on their own, scrambling to identify and remove banned items.
Victoria Police Commander Tim Tully confirmed that some stores may be defying the ban and said Consumer Affairs would investigate such cases.
Premier Allan faced criticism for earlier suggesting that the ban could not be implemented sooner.
Retailers have been instructed to store unsold machetes securely until the amnesty period begins.
The state government emphasized that the ban is necessary to remove dangerous weapons from communities and ensure public safety.
