Bondi attack spurs New South Wales gun buyback

New South Wales will start a gun buyback scheme on November 2, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Saturday, advancing a reform promised after last year's mass shooting at Bondi Beach.

The scheme will offer cash for eligible handguns, shotguns and rifles to gun owners who hold more weapons than allowed under new state rules. Payments will be as much as Aus$1,000, with the cost split between Australia's federal and New South Wales governments.

New South Wales has passed laws restricting individuals to owning no more than four guns, with some exemptions for farmers.

Albanese said Australia needed “meaningful nationwide gun reform” and described the Bondi shooting as an antisemitic terrorist attack.

State Premier Chris Minns said hundreds of thousands of guns could be returned. “We want those guns handed in, compensated for and safely destroyed,” he said.

Australian authorities had initially announced a nationwide gun buyback across all states and territories, but those plans stalled over disagreements about cost and implementation.

A father and son are accused of opening fire on a Jewish celebration in New South Wales on December 14, killing 15 people. Sajid Akram, 50, was shot and killed by police during the assault. His son Naveed, an Australian-born citizen who remains in prison, has been charged with terrorism and 15 murders.