Victoria's recently introduced ban and amnesty on machetes drew sharp criticism after two boys, aged 15 and 12, were fatally attacked by a group armed with machetes and long-bladed knives while walking home from a basketball stadium in Cobblebank on Saturday night.
The 15-year-old was identified by family as Dau Akueng. Both boys suffered critical injuries and died within metres of each other. Victoria Police said the attack was likely a case of "mistaken identity" and that an investigation was under way.
Family members and community leaders rejected early suggestions of gang involvement. Daw Akueng's father, Elbino Akueng, told the Herald Sun his son "is a basketball player, not a criminal" and appealed for answers and justice. He said his son "loved basketball" and lamented the loss to his family and community.
The attack occurred about a week after the state government fast-tracked an interim sales ban on machetes and installed more than 40 secure amnesty bins at police stations to allow owners to surrender machetes without penalty. The three-month amnesty runs until Nov. 30, and the law makes it illegal to own, use, carry, transport or sell certain knives and machetes without an exemption or approval. Convictions carry penalties of up to two years' imprisonment or fines of more than A$47,000.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines urged Victorians to hand in machetes as part of the amnesty, saying the government wanted to "dry up the supply" of such weapons. Premier Jacinta Allan has also appealed to parents to surrender weapons belonging to children, noting that children account for about 25% of knife-crime offenders in the state.
The state moved quickly on the sales ban after a violent brawl at Melbourne's Northland Shopping Centre involving long-bladed weapons. Since May, a specialised task force has carried out inspections and seizures, completing 573 in-store and online checks and about 2,400 market stall inspections; authorities reported a high level of compliance with the sales ban. Police statistics cited by the government indicate some 14,805 edged weapons were seized in Victoria during 2024, with an additional 8,900 confiscated between January and July of this year.
Despite those figures, the deaths prompted a strong reaction on social media and in the community, with some users describing the amnesty bins and the law as insufficient or "useless." Several posts questioned the effectiveness of the disposal scheme and broader bail and sentencing measures, arguing more decisive action was needed to reduce weapon availability and protect children.
The law does include exemptions for people who use machetes for agricultural work and for items of genuine traditional, historical or cultural significance. Authorities said enforcement and compliance checks would continue alongside the investigation into the Cobblebank killings.
Victoria Police have not released further operational details about suspects or charges. The force is conducting inquiries at the scene and reviewing available evidence, police said. News organisations sought comment from Premier Allan's office following the incident.