Retail and shopping centre industry leaders have applauded the Victorian Government’s decision to fast-track a ban on the sale of machetes, following a violent incident at Northland Shopping Centre.
But while the move is seen as an important step, stakeholders say more urgent and coordinated reforms are needed to combat rising violence in retail settings.
“Data shows that criminals are increasingly using knives and machetes as an intimidation tactic,” said Chris Rodwell, CEO of the Australian Retailers Association (ARA).
“We applaud the government’s swift action to bring forward some previously proposed reforms. As last night’s events showed, without quick action from government, we are risking the safety and wellbeing of retail workers and customers.”
The call for change follows data released by retail crime intelligence platform Auror, which found that knives and blades were involved in more than 50 per cent of all weapon-related incidents in retail last year, up 40 per cent from the previous year.
The Shopping Centre Council of Australia (SCCA) also welcomed the fast-tracked ban, citing growing concern over incidents where repeat offenders use dangerous weapons to threaten and harm people in public spaces.
“Any sensible proposal which seeks to remove dangerous weapons including machetes and knives which could be used to threaten, intimidate or harm people is a welcome step,” said Angus Nardi, CEO of the SCCA.
“The incident at Northland Shopping Centre is a reminder about the harm and fear that dangerous weapons can cause, and such weapons have no place in public places.”
Queensland’s Jack’s Law as a model
The ARA and the National Retail Association (NRA) are urging governments to take further steps, including strengthened police search powers to remove knives and dangerous weapons from the streets. They cited Queensland’s Jack’s Law, which grants police expanded search powers, as a potential model for Victoria and other states.
Both associations also support the Victorian Government’s broader plan to introduce tougher penalties for assaulting or abusing retail workers, a measure expected to be tabled in Parliament this year.
If passed, it would align Victoria with South Australia, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, where similar laws have been enacted to curb escalating customer aggression.
“This is a widespread issue affecting the entire sector, causing significant emotional and financial harm and, in some tragic cases, physical harm,” said Rodwell.
“Businesses can’t continue to combat the impacts of growing retail crime on their own. Retailers across Australia are counting on states and territories to work in lock step with one another to reduce these incidents which are having an enormous impact on worker wellbeing.”