Member for Cranbourne District, Jude Perera MP, today welcomed the Brumby Labor Government's announcement of a complete ban on the sale of knives and controlled weapons to minors, further strengthening the toughest knife search and seizure laws in Australia.
Mr Perera said the Brumby Labor Government had consulted with Victoria Police, hospitals and the community to strengthen what was already the toughest anti-knife regime in the country.
"Over the years we have taken a number of steps to address knife attacks - and I am determined to make our local area even safer," he said.
Mr Perera said the new measures included:
Giving police new powers to issue $1000 on-the-spot fines for first time offences for those aged 16 or above caught carrying a knife or other controlled weapon without a lawful excuse, which would also be seized;
Stronger laws that allow Victoria Police to designate a public area such as a train station or public place for a random weapons search - without notice; and
Prohibiting minors (under the age of 18) from legally buying a prohibited or controlled weapon.
Mr Perera said banning young people from buying knives and other weapons would result in fewer knives in the hands of young people and be a crucial step in tackling the culture of knives, particularly among young men.
"Knives are not defensive weapons and people should not be carrying them around in the street thinking it's OK - it's not. And now our police will have greater powers to ensure people are absolutely clear about that," Mr Perera said.
Mr Perera said that the $1000 on-the-spot fines would give Victoria Police a new way of dealing with controlled weapons.
"We are taking the next step in the war on knives to send a strong message that Victoria is not a place that will tolerate carrying weapons," he said.
"Victoria Police's 120-strong Operational Response Unit, which was launched this week, will be at the forefront in using these new laws to crack down on knife attacks."
Under current random search powers, Victoria Police has conducted two planned designations in and aournd suburbian train stations. These operations detected 7 people carrying 12 weapons, including a machete, knuckle dusters and knives.
"More unplanned weapons searches will take a lot of knives out of circulation," Mr Perera said.
Mr Perera said today's announcements built a series of other Labor Government initiatives, including a Consumer Affairs Victoria blitz on knife-sellers, a new community education campaign and the bringing forward of the annual weapons amnesty by Victoria Police.
"It's just not acceptable to carry a knife - you do and you're not only a threat to others, but also to yourself," Mr Perera said.
