<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>People caught carrying a machete could face up to two years in prison and a hefty fine as the Victorian government moves to outlaw dangerous weapons.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Premier </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/Jacinta-Allan" rel="" target="" title="Jacinta Allan"><span>Jacinta Allan</span></a><span> announced the country's first-ever machete ban today, along with an expansion of knife-search powers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It follows the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/crime-victims-yet-to-trust-victorian-governments-bail-overhaul/43046de0-311b-4816-abb4-8ba5a82f45cf" rel="" target="" title="government's pledge to introduce the &quot;toughest bail laws in the country&quot;"><span>government's pledge to introduce the "toughest bail laws in the country"</span></a><span> in response to a surge in violent crimes across the state.</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><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/panda-mart-watchdog-recalls-potentially-deadly-lamps-sold-at-new-melbourne-discount-shop/75087d50-23f1-4a60-8a39-b5574c961dc8" rel="" target="" title="Watchdog recalls 'potentially deadly' lamps sold at new Melbourne discount shop"><strong><span>Watchdog recalls 'potentially deadly' lamps sold at new Melbourne discount shop</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The ban will classify machetes as a prohibited weapon starting September 1.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Those caught with a machete will face penalties, including up to two years in jail or a fine exceeding $47,000.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Individuals using a machete for purposes like agriculture or hunting will need to obtain an exemption under the new changes.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/bail-laws-machete-ban-announced-for-victoria/77c5e03b-ec74-439d-9ce1-6c482aca134e" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>An amnesty will run from September 1 to November 30, which will allow people to dispose of the weapons in safe locations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Machetes are destroying lives so we will destroy machetes. The places we meet can't become the places we fear," Allan said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"I am listening and I am acting, with Australia's toughest bail laws and Australia's first machete ban.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Under my government, community safety comes first and there are consequences for breaking the rules."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/australian-households-hit-with-higher-electricity-bills-within-months/20c21ed6-7f3a-4d52-8b90-4b11c9eb9532" target="" title="Electricity bills to rise by up to 9 per cent from July"><strong><span>Electricity bills to rise by up to 9 per cent from July</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Police are set to be granted expanded powers to search for weapons for longer periods.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Currently, a location can only be declared a designated search area for 12 hours at a time. However, the government plans to extend this period, allowing officers to declare a location a designated search area for up to six months.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We'll always give police what they need to keep Victorians safe – we'll build on the extra powers we've already given them and help them search for more weapons," Police Minister Anthony Carbines said.</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"><strong><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></strong></a><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. 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