[REVISION HISTORY]

Australia gun buyback: NSW and ACT move forward

Updated 10 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-16 09:03 UTC → 2026-09-19 19:17 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Following the December 2025 Bondi Beach terrorist attack, the Australian federal government introduced sweeping firearm reforms, including a nationwide buyback of prohibited weapons. While the initiative aimed for national consistency, it faced opposition from several states. By late July 2026, the plan had stalled in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and Western Australia. In August 2026, New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) moved forward with the federal scheme. In NSW, the agreement involves a 50/50 split of administration costs, with the federal government funding weapon destruction. The program targets firearms exceeding a four-gun limit, though farmers and professional shooters may own up to ten. However, the policy has sparked political friction; NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane criticized the measures as a “smokescreen for their inaction” on community safety, and the Liberal Party withdrew its previous bipartisan support. Economic impacts are emerging in regional areas, with retailers in Western NSW reporting significant revenue decreases due to reduced license durations and ownership caps. In mid-September 2026, the NSW Parliament rejected a motion to scrap the scheme. The motion, led by independent Roy Butler, argued that compensation was “woefully inadequate” for custom equipment. The NSW buyback will proceed in two phases: a November 2026 phase offering fixed ~~compensation (e.g., up to $1,000 for certain rifles and handguns),~~ compensation, and a 2027 phase for higher-value ~~weapons with market values above $3,000, capped at $10,000 per firearm. In~~ weapons. On September 19, 2026, the ~~ACT,~~ NSW Liberal Party proposed freezing the ~~Commonwealth will cover 75 per cent of administration, destruction,~~ buyback scheme and ~~compensation costs. The Sporting Shooters Association~~ undoing certain ownership restrictions to allow for a commission of ~~Australia has questioned why taxpayers are funding~~ inquiry. Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane argued the government rushed legislation without adequate consultation, suggesting a ~~program not adopted by most other jurisdictions.~~ focus on organized crime and terrorism instead. Police and Counter-terrorism Minister Yasmin Catley criticized the proposal as a “stunning backflip” that would increase guns in circulation.

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