Teen Injured in Machete Attack Just Weeks After Victoria Fast-Tracks Weapon Sales Ban

A teenager has been stabbed at a petrol station in Victoria after allegedly being attacked by two men carrying machetes.

The incident comes just weeks after the Victorian Labor government fast-tracked a ban on the sale of machetes in retail stores, and days after Victorian Police confiscated 6,900 knives off Melbourne streets.

Victorian Police confirmed to The Epoch Times that Mill Park Divisional Response Unit officers were investigating the incident at Doreen in Melbourne on June 8.  

“A man was attempting to refuel his car at a service station on Bridge Inn Road when two males, armed with machetes, approached him about 9.50pm,” Victorian Police said.

The force is calling for more information.

“The man sustained a laceration to his forearm during a physical altercation and he fled to a nearby fast-food restaurant for assistance. The 18-year-old Doreen man was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.” police confirmed.

“It is believed the offenders, who were also wearing balaclavas, fled the scene in a vehicle. Anyone with information that could assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.”

Ban on Machetes Fast-Tracked

Following a violent knife brawl at Northland Shopping Centre on May 25, the Victorian government implemented a temporary ban on the sale of machetes both in stores and online.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan and Police Minister Anthony Carbines utilised extraordinary powers to impose the law, which applied to all machetes from May 28.

Under Australian Consumer Law, machetes are defined as broad-bladed cutting knives with a blade length greater than 20 centimetres. It does not include kitchen knives.

The new law includes massive potential fines of $2.5 million for an individual or up to $50 million for a company.

“Consumer Affairs Victoria has a range of powers to monitor and enforce product safety bans including to conduct inspections, issue warnings, fines, seize banned products or issue civil or criminal court action,” the Consumer Affairs Victoria said in a statement.

“Consumer affairs is all about keeping people safe. We’re going to use our consumer powers to do just that,” Consumer Affairs Minister Nick Staikos said in a statement.

“We know it is disruptive to the retailers who are carrying stock. Victorians will thank them for working with us to get this done.”

The interim ban is in place ahead of a permanent ban on machete ownership, which will be the first in Australia. Exemptions apply for agriculture.

The original Terrorism (Community Protection) and Control of Weapons Amendment Bill 2025 passed the Parliament in March 2025.

Nationals Senator Says Crime in Victoria ‘A Huge Issue’

Victorian Senator Bridget McKenzie expressed doubt over whether the ban would work.

“I don’t think the Labor government’s retail ban here in Victoria will actually make it safer …  it does nothing about the existing stock that’s already here, and a government’s job is to keep their citizens safe,” she said on Sunrise.

McKenzie did not believe it would address broader issues around crime.

“We know crime here in Victoria is a huge issue. The National Party got a swing to it from Labor in a seat like Bendigo, the premier’s hometown, because Victorians aren’t feeling safe in their own home and their streets,” she said.