‘Enough Is Enough’: Victorian Leaders Respond After 2 Children Killed in Machete Attack

Victorian Opposition leader Brad Battin has declared “enough is enough” after two Sudanese children were killed in a machete attack in Melbourne.

Two boys, 12-year-old Chol Achiek and 15-year-old Dau Akueng, were fatally stabbed by a masked gang of up to eight armed attackers.

“Victorians have been shocked by the weekend’s fatal machete attack on two children as they made their way home from a basketball game,” Battin said on X. 

“Against a gang of eight, neither boy stood a chance. Armed gangs have been allowed to terrorise families for too long. Enough is enough. Premier, it’s time for action.”

Victorian Police are still investigating and have yet to catch the alleged perpetrators.

Detective Inspector Graham Banks called for tougher penalties for youth crime in response to the attack.

“There needs to be a strong deterrent for this type of behaviour, for carrying weapons. As I stand before you, I think the penalties aren’t in balance with what community expectations are or mine,” he told reporters.

Recent data from the Crime Statistics Agency Victoria revealed a 17.9 percent rise in youth crimes between 10 to 17 years of age in the 12 months up to March 31, 2025.

Meanwhile, figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics in September also show a rise in broader crime in Victoria.

Sexual assault crimes rose 13 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year. Motor vehicle theft has spiked 41 percent, while robbery increased 16 percent. Unlawful entry with intent soared 25 percent.

Jacinta Allan Sends Condolences

Premier Jacinta Allan expressed her sympathy for the community on Sept. 8, especially those who knew the victims.

“On behalf of the Victorian government, I send my profound condolences directly to the families, friends, and schoolmates of the two children we lost to a senseless crime. One was 15. One was just 12,” Allan said.

“Every Victorian is thinking of them and holding them close to their hearts,” she said.

Allan held conversations with Sudanese community leaders and told them they mourned with them.

“I told them we stand with them in their fight against the cancer of youth gang crime that is breaking their community’s heart. And I told them about the actions we are taking across the state,” she said.

Allan said she would convene the government’s South Sudanese Australian Youth Justice Expert Working Group.

The meetings would take place in the community with the youth justice and police ministers, along with representatives from Victoria Police.

“The solutions to the fight against violent crime can’t just be imposed upon the community. They must come from the community. We will stand with them every step of the way to put an end to this scourge,” she said.

The fatal attack happened only days after Victoria’s machete ban came into force, making it illegal to carry the broad-bladed knives.

Buying or selling a machete without a valid exemption carries fines of up to $47,000 (US$31,000).

Crime is shaping up to be a significant issue ahead of the Victorian election, scheduled for November 2026.

Battin Promises Tougher Laws to Deal with Crime

Following the latest machete gang attack, the opposition promised to “deliver the changes” to make the community and children safer.

Battin reiterated they would legislate “Break Bail, Face Jail.”

“We will change the laws to ensure there are consequences for violent crimes, and we will fill the more than 1,100 vacancies on police rosters to have more police on the beat,” he said.

“For 11 years, Labor have denied that crime is an issue, weakened bail laws and softened sentencing on violent offenders. Enough is enough.”

Battin said the state needs laws to protect the community rather than “loopholes” that keep violent offenders on the street.

“Too many Victorians have been victims of crime. Last night, two more Victorians were tragically added to that tally,” he said on Sept. 7.

“When we talk about the crime crisis, we can never lose sight of its human cost. These are not just statistics, they represent lives lost, families shattered, and communities forever changed.

“Together, we change this. And we must.”