Wednesday, 12 November 2025

 Nick STAIKOS (Bentleigh – Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Local Government) (14:16): I rise to give a final update on the interim machete sales ban and, most importantly, to thank the people who made it work: the machete taskforce and the broader Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) team, some of whom I met in Ballarat not long ago.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Mildura can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Mildura withdrew from the chamber.

Nick STAIKOS: From day one they were the steady hands on the tiller, on the phones, online and out on the shop floor making sure a nation-leading ban translated into safety for Victorians. The taskforce inspected more than 480 retailers statewide. Seven noncompliant outlets were identified in the very first week. Immediate action followed, and every store inspected since was compliant. The taskforce also ran weekend blitzes across eight markets, checking over 2400 stalls and finding just one noncompliant seller, again reinforcing good business compliance across the state. Online the taskforce engaged with over 80 platforms and retailers, securing commitments to preventing sales in Victoria and also fining and issuing official warnings to those who failed to comply. This enforcement was done properly – education, fixing the problem, deterring and, where necessary, issuing a penalty.

Victoria is at its best when we work together, so to retailers across the state and to the CAV team: thank you. Together they have kept these products off the shelves and protected the safety of Victorians. The Leader of the Opposition at the time derided the sales ban as a media stunt and a kneejerk reaction. Meanwhile, we got on with the job and we took machetes off the shelves, and in so doing we dried up supply of machetes in the lead-up to the commencement of their classification as a prohibited weapon. We backed our words with decisive action, and our taskforce delivered. While those opposite obsess over the politics, as we have seen today, the Allan Labor government is taking real action to protect Victorians.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, ministers statements are not an opportunity for the government to sledge the opposition. Knife crime has not stopped, Minister.

The SPEAKER: Manager of Opposition Business, I ask you to not make statements with your points of order. The minister has concluded his ministers statement.