The Conversation: Australia’s first machete ban is coming to Victoria. Will it work, or is it just another political quick fix?

Tackling violence takes serious commitment to complex and intensive programs that focus on the root causes, particularly among at-risk families and disadvantaged, marginalised youth.

This is hard work that takes a long time, includes many different stakeholders, and seldom sways votes. Focusing on the choice of weapon is simply a distraction.

There is no question the sight of machete-wielding youths storming through a busy shopping centre is terrifying. People should be able to go about their business without fearing they will be attacked.

But reducing violence takes a lot more than banning one particular weapon, as Victoria will likely find out.