<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/victoria" rel="" target="_blank" title="Victorians"><span>Victorians</span></a><span> could face massive fines or prison time if found in possession of a machete after the state's controversial $13 million amnesty came to an end.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It is now illegal to own, carry or buy a machete in the state, with strong penalties facing those who are caught violating the new laws.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fines of up to $48,000 or even two years' jail time could be imposed, whilst police have been given expanded search powers in certain parts of Melbourne.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/finance/australia-money-health-insurance-extras-disappear/cc141f2b-167e-41e9-bdef-bf99789672ee" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Why millions of Aussies could lose thousands by the end of the year</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police will also be kitted out with metal detecting wands to help in finding machetes and other weapons on people.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>These areas include the CBD, Southbank and South Melbourne, and penalties can be enforced by police if you refuse to remove items from your pockets or allow authorities to conduct a lawful search.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The introduction of the law means the machete bins seen in parts of the state will now be scrapped, with the Premier claiming around 25,000 weapons had been handed in during the program that began three months ago.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-machete-ban-jacinta-allan-new-penalties-explained/73bd7cf2-c0da-430f-93ea-a2be31a5a765" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australia-weather-update-summer-starts-with-east-and-west-split/5c37f81b-8e42-44bb-95d8-b9b2c5c9517e" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Australia welcomes summer with weather extremes</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There were 45 bins set up outside of police stations where people could dispose of machetes without penalty or fear of prosecution.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's about drying up supply, because we have seen too much of this dangerous, deadly behaviour, and getting these weapons off our streets is the focus," she said on Today.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The bins, which became controversial due to their cost, will now be scrapped, with people now needing to contact police if they wish to dispose of machetes or any other bladed weapons now deemed illegal in Victoria.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The cost of the amnesty was controversial, though the government insists the $13 million price tag is for the whole project and not just for the installation of the bins.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Instead, the government claims the bins only cost $2400 each.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f"><em><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><em><strong><span>Apple App Store</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1"><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a><em><strong><span>.</span></strong></em></div></div>