The Albanese Government will establish a National Gun Buyback Scheme to purchase surplus, newly banned and illegal firearms – the largest since the Howard Government in 1996.

This is another part of the Government’s response to Sunday’s deadly antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.

Australia’s gun laws were last substantially reformed in the wake of the Port Arthur tragedy.

Sunday’s deadly ISIS inspired antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach highlights the need to finish the job the Howard Government started on gun reform.

We know that one of the terrorists from the weekend’s attack held a firearm licence and had six guns.

There is no reason someone living in the suburbs of Sydney needed this many guns.

There are now more than 4 million firearms in Australia – more than at the time of the Port Arthur massacre, nearly 30 years ago.

The Government will introduce legislation to support Scheme funding, and meet the costs on a 50:50 basis, with the states and territories. 

Consistent with the approach taken in 1996, the Government propose that states and territories be responsible for the collection, processing and payment to individuals for surrendered firearms.

The Australian Federal Police will be responsible for the destruction of surrendered firearms.

The Government proposes that states and territories agree to ambitious new gun law reforms no later than March 2026; and that reforms are legislated no later than 1 July 2026.

Gun laws are only as strong as the weakest state. Having laws that are national and consistent, is vital to their effectiveness.

This national gun buyback will support the delivery of the National Cabinet commitment to:

• Limit the number of firearms to be held by any one individual
• Limit open-ended firearms licencing and the types of guns that are legal
• Make Australian citizenship a condition of holding a firearm license
• Accelerate work on standing up the National Firearms Register
• Allow additional use of criminal intelligence to underpin firearms licencing

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

“The deadly terrorist attack at Bondi Beach is a national tragedy which can never be allowed to happen again.

“This national buyback scheme will help get guns off our streets, and help keep all Australians safe.”

Quotes attributable to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke

“Australia led the world in gun control after Port Arthur. A generation later it’s time to update our laws to keep our country safe.

“We have to address the motivation and the method of these crimes. No one can justify why this household had so many firearms.”