I hate it when the Government gets it so, so wrong...

"When disagreements or fights develop, the presence and the use of the knife turns the encounter into something lethal that has absolutely devastating consequences for the victim, the victim's family and our society," Justice Asher said.

"Somehow the message has to be imparted to young people that it is unacceptable for knives to be carried in public places."

This statement is crap as read. I've underlined the relevant bit; the USE of a knife is the problem when it comes to violent conflict. Posession itself is not an issue, and yet the second sentence is problematic.

The problem is not the posession, it's the intent and the use.
Some knives are designed as weapons first.
Some are designed as tools.

What about moving a knife between two private places, transiting public places? Do you get nailed then?

What about a swiss army knife or similar, on a person who regularly has cause to use such a thing - or who simply want's to be prepared?

"We need to make sure our laws are sending a message to young people that it's totally unacceptable to have knives in public places and that there will be consequences if this happens."

Sigh.

The article goes on to quote:

The Summary Offences Act (s13A) provides for a penalty of up to three months in prison or a fine of up to $2000 for possession of a knife in a public place without reasonable excuse.

The Crimes Act (s202A) also makes it an offence to carry a knife in a public place without reasonable excuse, an offence which carries a penalty of up to two years in prison.

The emphasis is mine. What construes 'reasonable'?

I carry a Swiss Army Knife. It's a Swiss Champ and generally lives in a holster on my belt. I've carried it every day since I was still in high school (yes, that in itself was occaisionally contentious), and find it emmensely useful on a day-to-day basis. The most frequently used tools are the Pen (always there when I need it), the very-small screwdriver in the corkscrew insert (for fixing my glasses), the pliers (for whatever), and the small blade (for sundry cutting - boxes and what-have-you), along with the scissors (for all manner of things) and of course, the screwdrivers. I'm a geek, and I know that when I have that on me, the majority of tasks are deal-able. I'm also a former Scout, and everyone knows the Swiss Army Knife is an essential piece of Scout 'be-prepared'ness.

Notwithstanding the above, I'm also able to rely on it in emergencies. I could cut someones seatbelt off. I could use it to create ad-hoc bandages. I could leave a note or write down someones details when no other means exist. It's seen use at several Fire callouts. It's helped me get my car working when i've had problems, even faults as simple as a blown fuse are aided by a decent pair of plier-jaws to pull the damn things out of the dashboard...

I'll be seriously pissed if, thanks to the violent stupidity of a minority, I lose this piece of conventional freedom. More nanny-state-ism to watch out for!

Meanwhile let me repeat for the masses. Carrying a knife is not illegal. Using it to hurt someone is! The crime then is assault/grievous bodily harm/manslaughter/murder. Not carrying a knife.