Aussies blast 'useless' machete ban after two young boys, 12 and 15, were stabbed within metres of each other
- Two boys killed by a trio armed with machetes
- Aussies slam new knife laws in Victoria
- READ MORE: Father savagely stabbed in head while protecting his family
Aussies have lashed out at Victoria's new ban on machetes following a double stabbing just a week after it had been introduced.
Machete and long-bladed knife amnesty boxes appeared at police stations across Victoria last week as part of the state's effort to reduce violent crimes.
However, the deaths of two young boys who were hunted down by a trio armed with machetes have highlighted ongoing problems with the scheme.
Several frustrated Aussies took to social media to call for more action to reduce the ownership of weapons.
'I saw this coming miles away. The only ones to benefit the machete ban is (Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan) and her mates who got $13million to build 40 metal bins. Imagine how many Aussie families it could have housed,' one wrote.
'To the Premier of Victoria, the machete and knife ban continues to work well. Two more kids dead and all you do is place boxes outside police stations,' another said.
'Boy, that machete ban and the new bail laws are working really well. Another two children hacked to death overnight,' another wrote.
'I'm just shocked these kids didn't put their machetes in the bins provided and abide by the machete ban announced by the Vic Premier! Shocked! I mean she asked politely,' another said.
Dau Akueng (pictured), 15, and his 12-year-old friend were killed by a trio armed with machetes while walking home from the local basketball stadium
The deaths of the two young boys sparked massive backlash for Victoria's new machete laws (pictured, Premier Jacinta Allan by a display of weapons)
Dau Akueng, 15, and his 12-year-old friend were attacked while walking home in Cobblebank, 33km west of Melbourne's CBD, on Saturday night.
The pair had been playing at a local basketball stadium when they were set upon by a trio armed with machetes and long-bladed knives.
Both suffered critical injuries and died just metres from each other.
Initial speculation pointed to possible gang violence links, but Dau's father Elbino Akueng shut down the rumours on Sunday.
'He is a basketball player, not a criminal,' he told the Herald Sun.
'I’m talking right now in behalf of my community... In this month, four kids in similar incidents and there is no answer from police. There is no answer for justice.
'I told the police last night that I need an answer for my son. My son is just gone...like this.'
Mr Akueng said his son 'loved basketball. He loved to joke around, he loved to make friends', adding: 'I’ll miss you my son, I will miss you forever. God bless. God bless.'
Dau's father (pictured) said his son 'is a basketball player, not a criminal' in response to speculation that there had been possible gang violence links
Over 40 amnesty boxes (one pictured) have been placed outside police stations in Victoria
Police have since stated the attack was likely a case of 'mistaken identity'.
Victoria's law change makes it illegal to own, use, carry, transport or sell knives without an exemption or valid approval.
Convictions could result in penalties of up to two years in jail or a fine of more than $47,000.
The state fast-tracked an interim machete sales ban after a fight between rival gangs at Melbourne's Northland Shopping Centre sent shoppers running for their lives.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines urged people to hand in machetes as part of a three-month amnesty running until November 30.
More than 40 safe disposal bins have been installed at police stations across the state to allow people to hand in machetes without penalty.
'We encourage all Victorians to play their part to dry up the supply of machetes in our community,' Mr Carbines said.
The laws are among the toughest in Australia, alongside South Australia which enacted a ban on machetes and swords in July.
Some 14,805 edged weapons were seized in Victoria in 2024, with another 8900 confiscated by police between January and July.
Since May, a task force has completed 573 in-store and online inspections, as well as 2400 market stall inspections, and found a high level of compliance with the sales ban.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has urged parents to hand in machetes belonging to their kids, noting children make up 25 per cent of knife-crime offenders in the state.
There are exemptions under the laws for agricultural workers who use machetes as part of their job and for machetes that have a genuine traditional, historical, or cultural significance.
Daily Mail has contacted Premier Jacinta Allan for comment.
