Amazon Australia removes machetes after landmark Victoria ban

Amazon has removed the sale of all machetes from its online Australian marketplace after a landmark ban in Victoria.

The Victorian government announced a statewide ban on the sale of machetes following a violent brawl at a Northland shopping centre.

The Australian-first ban will come into effect from September 1, and comes amid mounting calls for the Labor government to crackdown on youth crime.

Despite the ban, Amazon Australia was reportedly still selling the deadly weapon earlier this month; in a statement this week, the retailer said that had come to and end.

A spokesperson for the retail giant confirmed machetes were no longer for sale across all of Amazon Australia, not just in Victoria, following the state government’s decision.

Google searches for machetes on Amazon continued to retrieve results on Sunday, but the link took buyers to a web page stating the address was “not functioning”.

An interim total ban on the sale of machetes was introduced on May 28, with failure to comply with the ban when it comes in affect being a criminal offence.

The interim order means those who may have a legitimate and legal reason to have a machete, namely farmers, will be locked out of any purchases.

After September 1, retailers will be able to apply for an exemption to sell machetes for legitimate use, and will be listed on a police register.

A three-month amnesty will also come into affect from September 1, allowing anyone already possessing a machete to hand them in.

The ban is the first of its kind in Australia, and comes after the brawl at Northland shopping centre, which sparked a lockdown.

Four males have since been charged over the alleged rival gang fight.

They remain before the courts.