Government announces largest gun buyback scheme since Port Arthur

December 19, 2025 — 13:24

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced the biggest gun buyback since the Port Arthur massacre almost three decades ago, as he works with states to impose strict limits on the number of guns a person can own.

The federal government is cracking down on gun ownership after it was revealed that Sajid Akram, the gunman killed in Bondi, legally owned six guns even though his son and fellow hitman Naveed were being investigated for alleged terrorism links.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the gun buyback on Friday.Getty Images

Albanese said Friday that he expects to take back hundreds of thousands of guns that individuals would surrender in exchange for financial compensation, with the federal government splitting the bill 50-50 with states and territories.

“The government is proposing that states and territories be responsible for collecting, processing and disbursing surrendered firearms to individuals. The Australian Federal Police will then be responsible for the destruction of those firearms,” he told reporters in Canberra.

Home Secretary Tony Burke said the number of guns a person could legally own would be negotiated with each state and territory after the national cabinet agreed in principle to introduce caps earlier in the week.

“If you’re going to reduce the number of guns, then the buyback plan needs to be one piece of that puzzle,” Burke said.

“[The limits are] It’s currently being negotiated with the states as to what those numbers should be… but effectively, if it becomes illegal to keep the number of firearms you have in your possession, then you have to dispose of it at that point. And a buyback plan is the way to do it.

The total cost of the plan is estimated to be $1 billion, according to a government source. The Australian Sport Shooters Association has claimed that this figure could be as high as $15 billion when commercial purchases, equipment and firearm purchases are taken into account.

Western Australia is the only state that currently limits the number of guns a person can own, and the Cook government allocated more than $64.3 million for a six-month buyback scheme last year.

NSW Premier Chris Minns has recalled parliament next week to debate legislation that would limit firearm ownership in his state to four per person, with an exemption allowing primary manufacturers and sport shooters to own up to 10 guns.

NSW police minister Yasmin Catley said on Friday she expected NSW, the state with more than 1.1 million guns, would need three to four times Western Australia’s budget.

The Prime Minister said it was clear there was a problem with the licensing system after his supporter Dan Repacholi, a former professional hitman, said reforms in NSW should not “unfairly target responsible, law-abiding firearms owners”.

“If a guy in Bonnyrigg needs six high-powered rifles and can get them under the current licensing scheme then there’s a problem. I think Australians can see that,” Albanese said.

The National Party was skeptical of the buyback, with party leader David Littleproud describing it as a “shallow smokescreen”.

“You should look at this man [Albanese] and see how shallow he has become in this desperate attempt to divert attention from the real problem of Islamic extremism,” he said.

National Senate leader Bridget McKenzie said the government’s reforms were a “weak and pathetic gesture” that distracted from the fundamental problem of “removing hate preachers from our suburbs”.

The coalition said earlier in the week that it would work with the government if the laws need to be passed in the summer.

Liberal leader Sussan Ley has been contacted for comment.

The Greens have called on the government to go beyond limiting the number of guns, including the removal of recreational hunting as a reason for obtaining firearms licences, ongoing character checks for gun owners and swift action in cities, and a ban on high-powered weapons.

“No one should have a private arsenal of high-powered weapons at home in suburban Sydney or anywhere in this country,” Greens justice spokesman David Shoebridge said.

“There should be a clear limit on gun numbers; more than one gun can only be permitted if police are satisfied there is a separate requirement based on strict criteria.”