It was like an episode of Utopia – but this time it was a real-life example of the current State Government.

For those who aren’t familiar with the Utopia television series, it is a satirical program about a government department undertaking the ‘process of grand, uncosted, inadequately planned, fundamentally flawed schemes’ to create infrastructure projects.

And I couldn’t help but think of it as soon as I read a story in Sunday’s Herald-Sun, which revealed just how much money was spent on the government’s program to ban machetes.

You may well remember the program, which included placing 45 machete bins at police stations across the state as part of a three-month amnesty.

The ban on owning and selling machetes came after a series of knife-related crimes in Victoria – mostly in Melbourne.

The program soon drew criticism about the fact the bins were located at police stations – a deterrent in itself for many offenders, and how much the bins themselves cost.

But as journalist Grace Frost revealed, through obtaining a Freedom of Information request, the government also spent $3.6-million on advertising the ban.

Incredibly, the advertising campaign included thousands of dollars to buy machetes and film the ads in Sydney.

Let’s just think about that – buying machetes, the very weapon being seized by our own police force ... you would think there would be at least a couple available for the advertising campaign. 

In defending the Sydney film shoot, the Department of Justice and Community Safety said it spent $1300 on the machetes, and another $37,016 to hire a production crew interstate and film the ads in Sydney.

Apparently, the plan to shoot the campaign at Preston Police Station had to be changed due to that station being ‘not available’.

It is unbelievable to think that not one other police station in Victoria couldn’t have been used.

This was on top of the $163,146 the government was already paying for the eight-hour film and photography shoot.

And all this was additional to the more than $2.2-million spent manufacturing the bins and destroying surrendered weapons.

In fact, the Herald-Sun reported the total cost to be $5.7-million, which, in terms of government funding, is minimal.

But what are some ideas of where the money could be better spent?

I’ll go first – and because we’re a regional newspaper advocating for the Wimmera, southern Mallee and Grampians region – I’ll keep it all local.

How about funding to help continue the By Five Early Years Initiative?

By Five, which has assisted hundreds of families in the development of children across Hindmarsh, Horsham, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera and Yarriambiack municipalities, was unsuccessful in seeking $3.5-million to fund another four years of its services in the 2025 budget, and is still seeking alternative funding models to continue in some form.

Then we’ll have another couple of million for our roads. 

God knows that is nowhere near enough money needed to be spent, but it’s a start to help properly fix those in the most critical condition.

Next, what about investing some money into preparing the infrastructure required for all the proposed mining, renewable and transmission projects – and their associated workers – expected in this region?

Housing is going to be an issue in some areas of the region, so wouldn’t it be refreshing to see a government be proactive in preparing for the added pressure the expected population boom will have on the region?

I am well aware the funding comes from different pools and different departments – but the point is that there are so many other worthwhile projects and programs that don’t receive funding, yet time and time again we see the wastage of government expenditure.

Footnote: In the interests of being transparent, the Herald-Sun reported that more than 40 per cent of the machete ban advertising budget was spent on radio, regional newspaper, and social media ads, to which Ace Radio was a beneficiary to a small amount.

The entire June 24, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire June 24, 2026 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!