Australia Launches Largest Gun Buyback Since 1996 in New South Wales

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced a major gun buyback scheme on Sunday, marking the first state to sign onto a federal initiative proposed after the December 2025 Bondi Beach massacre. The attack, which killed 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration, was allegedly carried out by a father and son using legally obtained firearms.

The program begins November 2 in two phases. Phase 1 provides fixed compensation, including $1,000 for revolvers and $850 for semi-automatic handguns. Phase 2, starting in early 2027, will address higher-value firearms capped at $10,000. The buyback follows new state laws restricting individual ownership to four firearms and banning weapons that allow multiple shots without reloading. The New South Wales government estimates approximately 274,000 registered firearms will be affected.

Costs will be split between the federal and state governments, with the Commonwealth covering 50 percent of administration and all destruction costs. While the ACT and Tasmania have agreed to the deal, Queensland and Victoria have rejected it, and the Northern Territory has refused funding. Opposition leaders, including Matt Canavan and Pauline Hanson, have criticized the legislation as unnecessary, with the Nationals tabling a Senate bill to repeal the crackdown.