Tuesday, 12 August 2025

 Sarah CONNOLLY (Laverton) (12:54): My community are very pleased to hear that preparations are underway for our government’s nation-leading machete ban to come into effect just a few weeks from now. This is something I have heard quite a lot about from my community, both in person and online, and much has been said about how it will work. I know that many people have urged for these laws to begin immediately. We know that the impacts would have been felt by people who have not done anything wrong, who are not running around in our community with these weapons and who would suddenly be in breach of the law. That is why these months have been spent working on an amnesty program for people to do the right thing as well as an exemption program for those who require machetes, such as our farmers.

I am pleased that we were able to announce two weeks ago where the first 40 deposit locations in Victoria will be as part of this amnesty program. For folks in my electorate and nearby, you can get rid of your machetes at deposit bins located at police stations in Werribee, Sunshine and Altona, all in close proximity to my electorate and safe spaces for our community. These deposit bins will be available 24/7 for folks who want to do the right thing and dispose of these dangerous weapons. You do not need them in our community, and from next month just being caught with them in your possession will have very serious consequences. Enough is enough. Our government will ensure that these knives and machetes are driven out of our state and out of the hands of young people. To folks who may be watching, I will finish by echoing the words of our Minister for Police: ‘Drop the knife and save a life.’