When Danny Trejo starred in the 2010 violent action film Machete, many went to see it for a few hours of diversion and escapism. When he reappeared in the 2013 follow-up film, Machete Kills, it was more of the same, with audiences seeking to get their minds off their real-world problems.
But for many of us today, such scenarios have nothing to do with fiction and escapism. They have to do with reality and the current state of play in places like Melbourne. Wild tales of machete bloodshed are no longer the stuff just of Hollywood, but the recurring happenings in Australia and elsewhere.
Once known as the ‘world’s most liveable city,’ Melbourne clearly no longer is. It has become an unbearable hellhole with a ruined economy, a tsunami of radical woke agenda items destroying the place, and out-of-control crime. It is that latter item that has so many people so very concerned, with daily reports of migrant gangs breaking into homes and terrorising families.
And increasingly they are lashing out in broad daylight, and not just in homes but in crowded malls. It is utter mayhem in Melbourne and things keep getting worse. Thankfully plenty of folks are getting really fed up with this. Consider some media headlines:
Andrew Rule: I’ve covered crime for 45 years; for the first time I’m worried about my city Legendary crime writer Andrew Rule has issued a plea amid Victoria’s crime crisis, saying brazen criminals have no fear of the police and courts and government don’t seem worried about stopping them.
Youth gangs rank crimes like footy stats on social media A disturbing social media trend is emerging where gang-affiliated teens boast of fatal attacks using emojis and “point systems” — prompting calls for urgent intervention and tougher enforcement.
Steve Price: Nine years after Apex terror, Victorians more fed-up and frightened than ever Almost a decade after the Apex gang caused chaos at Moomba, is Melbourne safer from teenage criminals committing violent home invasions and armed hold-ups? The answer is a resounding no, and there has been a complete failure from the top down.
Consider some politicians:
Bridget Vallence MP Crime is at a record high in Victoria. A criminal offence is committed every 50 seconds, a car is stolen every 17 minutes, and youth are involved in more violent attacks. Aggravated burglary is up 177% in the Yarra Ranges! The Allan Labor Government’s laws are not deterring crime, and come as they cut the Victoria Police budget by $50 million making the job of our local police harder. Community safety must come first. The Victorian Liberals will continue to push for stronger laws, and more resources for local police – as I have called for here in Parliament.
Georgie Crozier MP Two teens granted bail just one day after a violent machete crime spree across Melbourne. They allegedly robbed five IGAs in two hours, masked, armed, and using a stolen car. One was already facing charges for a brutal carjacking. Police opposed bail, warning of reoffending. The magistrate called the crimes “incredibly serious” but let them go. Labor’s justice system is failing Victorians.
Richard Riordan MP [The machete ban] issue had everyone talking this week. At only $13million dollars it is a relatively small waste of money by this Labor Governments usual efforts – that have seen budget waste rack up hundreds of millions and into billions of dollars. But it highlighted the continued way Jacinta Allan throws good money after bad. The Suburban Rail Loop, our road repairs, the Commonwealth Games, to name just a few examples. It is time to change and Victorians want a future.
Jason Wood MP Yet another day in the lawless state. A group of teenagers have stormed a Truganina house party armed with machetes, allegedly stabbing some of the people inside around 5am. Three men were allegedly attacked by the group, whom witnesses say they did not know. My thoughts go out to the victims.
Moira Deeming MP Having now met a victim of a machete attack, and seen his mother’s pain – this just leaves me sad. Elections have consequences. Please vote Labor out.
Consider some commentators:
Family First
Family First’s Victorian Upper House candidates Bernie Finn and Jane Foreman have called for urgent reforms to ensure young offenders who commit violent crimes face real consequences, after Melbourne was rocked by yet another horrific home invasion.
In Kew East last weekend, a father was stabbed 11 times with a machete in his own home as his wife and two toddlers were forced into another room. Just hours later, another family was terrorised nearby as offenders stole cars from their driveway while they slept. Police have charged two boys aged 16 and 17 alongside a 24-year-old man.
“These are not childish pranks,” Mr Finn said. “When a 16-year-old picks up a machete and stabs a father in front of his family, that is an adult crime. And adult crimes demand adult time. Yet our system mollycoddles young thugs while innocent families live in fear.”
Ms Foreman said the Allan Government’s much-touted “machete bins” program—costing taxpayers more than $13 million—was a cruel joke.
“Labor cut $50 million from the police budget but thinks spending $325,000 on each of 40 so-called ‘machete amnesty bins’ is going to make families safer. It’s an insult. No violent criminal is going to dutifully drop his machete in a bin before heading out to terrorise families,” Ms Foreman said.
Family First says the root problem is not the absence of enough bins but the absence of adequate punishment and deterrence.
“Parents across Victoria are sick and tired of excuses. We are seeing a wave of violent home invasions, carjackings, and stabbings carried out by juveniles who know the courts will give them a slap on the wrist,” Mr Finn said.
Ms Foreman added: “Every Victorian has the right to be safe in their home. Families should not be left defenceless while the government indulges in tokenistic, headline-grabbing measures. It’s time to put victims first, not criminals.”
Family First is calling for juvenile justice laws to be overhauled so that repeat violent offenders under 18 face adult penalties.
“As long as violent thugs believe they are untouchable because of their age, the bloodshed will continue,” Mr Finn said. “Family First will fight to restore common sense: adult time for adult crime.”
Petitions
There are now several petitions circulating on this which you can sign and share. As for one in Victoria, David Limbrick MP said recently: “The petition is approaching 7000 signatures. If we reach 10k, the Government will be forced into smothered debate.” It says in part:
The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council the urgent need for clearer self-defence laws to better protect individuals and families in their own homes. Concerned community members believe that current self-defence provisions don’t sufficiently allow people to protect themselves, their loved ones, and property from unlawful intruders. Under current Victorian law, self-defence is only available as a defence if it is in response to a perceived threat, a person must have a ‘reasonable’ belief that they are facing a threat to their life or serious bodily harm. This is ambiguous and leaves law-abiding occupants vulnerable to criminal prosecution and/or civil proceedings, even when defending themselves against home invasions. https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/get-involved/petitions/amend-self-defence-laws
There is another petition for all of Australia. It now has some 20,000 signatures. Here is part of what it says:
As break-ins continue to spike, Nathan Biles is calling on the federal government to introduce “Castle Law” in Australia, which would expand legal protections for homeowners defending themselves with force during home invasions. He’s campaigning in the wake of a rise in violent break-ins, including a recent incident in Melbourne where a father was slashed 11 times with a machete when his home was invaded. Nathan believes it’s a basic human right for people to defend themselves and their families when faced with a violent threat.
Australia has become a country with laws that protect the criminals and attack the victims. I would like to stand a vote to introduce the castle doctrine, also known as a castle law or a defence of habitation law which is a legal doctrine that designates a person’s abode or any legally occupied place (for example, a vehicle or home) as a place in which that person has protections and immunities permitting one, in certain circumstances, to use force (up to and including deadly force) to defend oneself against an intruder, free from legal prosecution for the consequences of the force used.
Sadly, I live in Melbourne. Things were bad enough under Dictator Dan and the way he made this city one of the most locked-down hellholes on the planet. Things have not gotten any better, with the city still in tatters, and Jacinta adding to our woes.
The truth is, being old and alone, I fear each night what might happen. Will I be the next victim of these out-of-control gangs? And the Victorian Parliament just recently voted down a measure to allow Victorians the right to properly defend themselves.
Sure, I can dish out thousands of dollars in various home security products, but many of the homes already broken into had such measures in place. And with this useless government just giving the crims ‘get out of jail free’ cards at every turn, there is no hope.
These thugs engage in deplorable acts, they are arrested, and they are out on bail the very next day. And they do it all over again. The fools in charge tell us we cannot treat these teens harshly: they might become career criminals. Um, guess what Jack: when they are committing horrific crimes over and over and over again, they already ARE career criminals. Jail them or deport them (many are Sudanese gang members). And while we are at it, jail Jacinta and her criminal-coddling mates.
Just recently there were a number of IGA grocery stores in Melbourne attacked by these teen thugs. A few months ago I went to a nearby IGA. Male workers were standing at the front door, and I was told I needed to hurry, as they were closing early. They said that these gangs had been attacking their store. So this is not somewhere out there – it is a few blocks away from where I live. But this pathetic Andrews/Allan government does nothing – it sides with the gangs and sides against the victims.
Some Christians (especially the ones who do not live here!) rightly – but at times glibly – tell me I should just pray and ask for God’s angels to surround my home. Yes, I pray every single night, asking God for his protection on me and my neighbours.
This is NOT how we should be living! But this government lets criminals run wild and then spends kazillions on ‘Machete bins’ and other useless nonsense. So I not only pray daily for my own protection, but I pray that somehow this failure of a government comes to a sudden and sure end, and some responsible politicians who actually care about Victoria take charge. If not, we are all doomed.
From the 1960s onwards Australians thumbed their nose at God and His laws thinking they would be better, richer and happier without God. They deliberately forgot that God’s laws were written for our good. We have wicked hearts and they were kept under lock and key by either attending church; going to sunday school; having godly values instilled at home and school. This is no longer the case and they are reaping what they had sown. Morality they say will not prevent you from going to hell but it will prevent you going to jail. Most australians think the answer to this problem are more cameras and bars at home; more police; and harsher penalties. They tackle the fruit of the problem They do not tackle the root. Until they understand the root causes they will keep throwing money around. Have tougher penalties; tell judges to get tough. Im all for this but they key will be to return to God.
Yes quite so Troy.
Melbourne and most other Australian cities now have become disgusting horrible and unlivable. Melbourne and most other Australian cities have become lawless crime ridden dumps and Melbourne and most other Australian cities have become dangerous and are no longer safe
From the 1960s onwards Australians thumbed their nose at God and His laws thinking they would be better, richer and happier without God. They deliberately forgot that God’s laws were written for our good. We have wicked hearts and they were kept under lock and key by either attending church; going to sunday school; having godly values instilled at home and school. This is no longer the case and they are reaping what they had sown. Morality they say will not prevent you from going to hell but it will prevent you going to jail. Most australians think the answer to this problem are more cameras and bars at home; more police; and harsher penalties. They tackle the fruit of the problem They do not tackle the root. Until they understand the root causes they will keep throwing money around. Have tougher penalties; tell judges to get tough. Im all for this but they key will be to return to God.
Yes quite so Troy.
Melbourne and most other Australian cities now have become disgusting horrible and unlivable. Melbourne and most other Australian cities have become lawless crime ridden dumps and Melbourne and most other Australian cities have become dangerous and are no longer safe