By ABC News

Copyright abc

The Victorian government will push for a national ban on the sale and possession of machetes after hundreds of the weapons were surrendered during the first two weeks of the state’s amnesty.

The government said 1,386 machetes and dangerous knives had been collected from 45 safe disposal bins across the state over two weeks.

A further 3,500 of the weapons had been handed in by retailers.

Victoria’s Police Minister Anthony Carbines said he would push for other jurisdictions to implement machete bans when he meets state and territory police ministers in Canberra later this month.

“We will again be pressing our colleagues interstate to pick up on the machete amnesty and ban that is working effectively here in Victoria, to see that take place nationally,” he said.

Mr Carbines said 10,800 edged weapons had been seized by police so far this year and more were expected to be confiscated.

“Last year was a record of some 14,800 edged weapons seized by Victoria Police thanks to our stop and search powers,” Mr Carbines said.

“We’ll break that record again.

The government said anyone caught in possession of a machete after the amnesty period ends at the end of November could face two years in prison or a $47,000 fine.

Australian knife laws vary in each state and territory, but large machete-style knives are generally illegal without a lawful excuse.

Opposition claims crime prevention funding cut

There has been a significant political focus on knife crime in Victoria in the wake of a string of high-profile incidents, including the stabbing deaths of two boys in Melbourne’s outer west last weekend.

As well as banning machetes, the state government has pursued changes to make it more difficult for serious repeat offenders to get bail, while the opposition has pledged to expand weapon search powers for police if it forms government next year.

Opposition Leader Brad Battin on Tuesday accused the government of cutting funding to youth crime prevention programs in its most recent budget.

“We are in the grips of a crime crisis and Victorians don’t feel safe in their own homes,” Mr Battin said.

The opposition claims the government has reduced funding to community crime prevention initiatives run by about 30 community groups. The ABC has attempted to contact some of those groups.

The government disputes the opposition’s figures, saying crime prevention funding increased from $12 million to $15 million in the last budget.

“I don’t accept that there are cuts. What I do accept is that the budget papers demonstrate an increase in community crime prevention funding,” Mr Carbines said.

“As long as a program continues to demonstrate outcomes for young people, they’ll continue to attract funding from the government.”