Our thoughts are with those impacted by the shocking scenes at Northland Shopping Centre this afternoon. The reports of bystanders being caught up in a violent brawl involving machete-wielding thugs are deeply distressing. No Victorian should ever fear for their safety while doing their shopping on a Sunday afternoon.
We continue to fully support our police and emergency services who responded to this terrifying incident and ran towards danger to protect Victorians.
Unfortunately, there is a very serious and much deeper issue that can no longer be ignored.
Something is very rotten in this state - we can all feel it.
Despite years of spiralling machete violence shaming Premier Jacinta Allan into a so-called ban - violent offenders are still rampaging through our communities with these weapons on an almost daily basis. This is not normal - and Victorians know it.
It is increasingly clear that, through its own incompetence, the Allan Labor Government has utterly failed to get control of violent crime in our state. While Labor fails to act, communities are paying the price.
This incident comes after Labor confirmed just this morning that its so-called ban on machetes won't come into effect for another four months. That delay is an insult to every Victorian worried about their safety today.
When government is focused on the wrong priorities, bad things happen. Victorians deserve to feel safe - and they deserve leadership that acts.
The Liberals and Nationals again call for an immediate ban on the sale of machetes in Victoria. Not in four months. Not in four weeks. Now.
It is time for the Allan Labor Government to stop making excuses and start making decisions that protect Victorians.
The safety of Victorians must be a priority and the ban on dangerous machetes must come into effect immediately. The Liberals and Nationals are prepared to work with the Premier to make this happen in Parliament this week.
