politics
NSW to begin Australia’s biggest gun buyback in decades in wake of Bondi terror attack
Albanese and Minns said buyback would begin in two phases from 2 November, with state and commonwealth to split costs
TL;DR
- New South Wales is initiating Australia's largest gun buyback in 30 years, a joint federal and state scheme, following the Bondi terror attack.
- The buyback begins in two phases from November 2nd, with specific compensation amounts for different types of handguns, shotguns, and rifles.
- Phase 2, starting in early 2027, will offer compensation for eligible higher-value firearms.
- NSW has also implemented stricter gun laws, limiting individual ownership to four firearms, with exceptions for farmers and professional shooters.
- The federal and NSW governments are splitting administration costs, with the commonwealth fully funding destruction costs.
- Some states, including Queensland and Victoria, have rejected the proposed buyback scheme, while others are still in funding negotiations.
- Opposition figures have raised concerns about the buyback's cost, compensation fairness, and the lack of participation from other jurisdictions.