The Allan Government has once again been exposed as flat footed when it comes to tackling youth crime.
Today Labor will move legislation to crack down on the sale of machetes, a move they opposed when it was introduced by the Liberals and Nationals in Parliament last year.
This delay has seen machetes continue to be sold to youths and used in violent crimes, with police not having the powers to proactively remove the weapons from the street.
This delay has allowed retailers to continue to sell this violent weapon to kids under 18 and to gang members across the state.
In November 2023, the Liberals and Nationals introduced legislation into the Parliament to amend theControl of Weapons Act 1990 to ensure machete possession would be banned by making it a prohibited weapon.
Shadow Minister for Police, Brad Battin, said: “Labor is all about politics first and community safety last. When we, the Liberal and Nationals, introduced this legislation in 2023 it was done with community support and an urgent need to protect safety.
“This delay allowed kids to buy machetes for use in violent crimes and the consequences across Victoria have been horrendous.
“Once again Labor has moved too late to tackle a growing problem that is threatening community safety and Victorians are left to pay the price for the Allan Government’s incompetence.”
