Australia launches a "gun buyback program," with New South Wales set to implement it first.

On the morning of August 16, local time, Australian Prime Minister Albanese and New South Wales Premier Minns announced the official joint launch of the "Gun Buyback Program" by the Commonwealth Government and New South Wales. Premier Minns stated that while the buyback program may cost tens of millions or even over a hundred million Australian dollars, "it is a price worth paying." Albanese also praised the program. Under this plan, starting from November 2, 274,000 firearms will be confiscated in New South Wales, with compensation standards for different types of firearms ranging from 450 to 1,000 Australian dollars per gun. By early next year, the compensation standard for firearms valued over 3,000 Australian dollars will be raised to 10,000 Australian dollars. This is part of the "Phase One" of new laws implemented by New South Wales after the terror attack at Bondi Beach in December 2025, making it the first state in Australia to implement a related gun buyback program.