“That’s not a knife; this is a knife,” Paul Hogan said in the movie Crocodile Dundee. But when does a knife become a machete? Photo: YouTube/screenshot.
Paul Hogan’s attempt to define a knife in the 1980s movie Crocodile Dundee might be needed in the southern Riverina, where the Victorian Government’s ban on machetes has caused confusion.
Since 1 September it has been illegal to carry, use or transport large “broad-bladed cutting knives” in Victoria without a valid exemption. Anyone breaking this law faces a $47,000 fine or up to two years’ imprisonment.
But the broad definition of machete has hunters, farmers and fishers who regularly transport a knife for work or recreation scratching their heads. This includes those in NSW towns such as Albury, Deniliquin, Moama and Mulwala who work across the border.
“It does concern me that I could one day get in trouble for something when I really haven’t done anything wrong,” said Michael ‘Outback Mike’ Atkinson, an adventure filmmaker.
Mr Atkinson is a professional outdoorsman and spends a significant amount of the year camping, hiking, and fishing, and like a lot of people in his line of work, he carries a relatively large bush knife.
“It’s a basic knife with a 25 cm blade. Just the right combination that I can use it for whittling fairly small things, but I can also use it like an axe and cut down a tree,” he said.
Mr Atkinson travels all over Australia during the year. He often uses his knife during displays.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with me having it, the knife that I show whittling with.
“I think if I did that in Victoria now, that would have broken the law.”
Whether it is still legal for Mr Atkinson to use his knife in Victoria is a difficult question to answer.
The state has implemented some exceptions for agricultural and cultural reasons.
Wodonga lawyer Chirag Patel said that while there were exceptions in place for people with a legitimate excuse, those who carried bladed tools across the border for work or recreation should be very careful.
“Really, in the current climate, I’d say be ultra cautious and be more diligent,” he said.
“If you’ve got the exemption, then make sure you’ve got the relevant documentation and you know they’re supposed to be properly stored, concealed.
“Make sure you take all of those relevant precautions.”
Victoria Police have provided examples of machetes. Photo: Victoria Police.
Part of the agricultural exemption requires workers to carry documents to prove their need, such as an ABN or a letter from their employer.
Mr Patel said in reality the new laws did not significantly change how people had to behave.
“The reality is that it was always illegal to carry a machete in a public place.”
But he said, given the difference between New South Wales and Victorian laws, it was always better to err on the side of caution.
“Forgetfulness, for example, is not a reasonable excuse.”
With a $47,000 fine and up to two years’ imprisonment on the line, the cost of getting this distinction wrong could be dire.
Mr Patel suggested that for people who were unsure if a large knife crossed the boundary into machete territory, they could contact the police to check with them before trying to travel with it across the border.
When contacted by Region, Victoria Police, however, said they would not comment on a picture of a knife to determine if it was classed as a machete.
A police spokesperson directed the public to the police’s machete ban webpage; however, they declined to comment on how people could ensure compliance with the new law if they were uncertain.
Not everyone in the Riverina is concerned about the changes.
In Albury, Elk’s Hunting and Fishing owner Jonathan Elkington said he didn’t imagine it would make a big difference to most people.
“So long as you’re buying it for a legitimate purpose, there shouldn’t be any problems,” he said.
Machetes aren’t big sellers for Elk’s, and they aren’t too worried about it having any impact on business.
According to Mr Elkington, despite the vague wording of the law, he hadn’t come across much concern among his clientele either.
“You can ban knives, but you can’t ban idiots,” he said.
More information about the machete ban can be found on the Victorian Police machete ban website.
Original Article published by Nicholas Ward on Region Riverina.
