Anthony Albanese says gun buyback will provide "fair and reasonable compensation" to owners

Australia’s federal gun buyback is set to begin in November with New South Wales as the only participating state, and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said owners would be adequately paid for surrendered weapons. The program could affect more than 270,000 firearms and 50,000 licensed holders, with fixed payments from roughly $450 for air rifles to $1,000 for center-fire guns, plus handguns. Compensation details for firearms worth over $3,000 are expected later, with payments delayed until 2027. Albanese said the total cost, shared equally with the state, remains unclear but would reach hundreds of millions. Gun groups and an independent MP criticized the plan as inconsistent nationally and unlikely to reduce illegal firearms; NSW Premier Chris Minns called it essential and said it would be a March election issue.