Anthony Albanese and the NSW premier, Chris Minns, announced a major gun buyback scheme in Sydney on 15 August 2026, delivering on a commitment made after the Bondi Beach terror attack in December 2025. The scheme, which passed federal parliament earlier this year, will be funded evenly by the commonwealth and NSW governments and rolled out in two phases. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson immediately voiced opposition to the plan, arguing it unfairly targets licensed gun owners.
What is the gun buyback scheme and what will it change?
Under the first phase, owners will be compensated $1,000 for revolvers and $850 for semi-automatic handguns. Double-barrel shotguns attract $850 in compensation, while single-barrel shotguns are valued at $650. Rifles will attract between $650 and $1,000, and air rifles carry a fixed payment of $450.
According to a national broadcaster's report, NSW will be the first state to begin the post-Bondi scheme, with the first phase launching on 2 November 2026 and administered by NSW Police. The rollout is timed to begin before the first anniversary of the Bondi Beach attack on 14 December. Separately, a report from a commercial news outlet notes the commonwealth will cover half of the administration costs and fully fund the destruction of surrendered weapons.
The scale of the scheme is significant. Estimates cited by an international wire service put the number of firearms potentially affected at up to 274,000, held by roughly 50,000 licence holders across the state. A separate analysis reported by a metropolitan newspaper similarly estimates that around a quarter of the state's registered firearms — about 274,000 guns — are expected to be surrendered to comply with the new limits.
Why does Pauline Hanson oppose the buyback?
Hanson told News24 that taxpayers should not be funding the scheme, arguing it would primarily burden people who use firearms legitimately.
She suggested the buyback would impact law-abiding Australians who are trying to go about their business, including farmers who rely on their guns for work.
A different gun is for a different purpose, and you have to understand guns. I've got my own gun licence, so I understand these people.
This is not the first time Hanson has taken a hard line on gun and immigration policy this year. In June 2026, she used a National Press Club speech to call for a monocultural Australia, criticising immigration levels and government policy more broadly — themes she returned to in her comments on international students.
When will the scheme begin, and what will phase two cover?
Phase two of the buyback is due to start in early 2027 and will target higher-value firearms, according to a national newspaper's coverage of the funding deal. That phase will cover firearms with an indicative market value above $3,000, with compensation capped at $10,000 per weapon. Earlier reporting from the same outlet in May 2026 had indicated the first rollout was originally planned for 1 July before the start date was pushed back to November. NSW has continued preparing the scheme even though take-up from other states and territories has been limited, with a regional newspaper reporting that only the ACT has formally signed up alongside NSW.
What other issues has Pauline Hanson raised?
Hanson also renewed her long-standing criticism of Sydney's gay and lesbian Mardi Gras. During her first stint in federal politics, she told journalist Tracey Curro that she believed the event promoted something she considered unnatural. On Sunday, 16 August 2026, she said gay marriage was legal in Australia and described it as acceptable, while maintaining her personal objection to the parade.
I still don't like the gay Mardi Gras, but that's my opinion.
I think your own personal sexuality should be kept in closed doors, behind behind closed doors. It's no one's business to do it out there with the gay Mardi Gras anywhere. I know it brings a lot of tourists to the country. I know it brings a lot of money. I know all this, but that's my personal opinion. But anyway, good luck to them that they want to want to do that.
Her remarks follow comments made last week by fellow One Nation figure Barnaby Joyce. Sydney's Mardi Gras has run since 1978, beginning as a protest against homophobia and police brutality timed to mark the anniversary of New York's Stonewall uprising.
Hanson additionally called for dramatic cuts to international student numbers, though she declined to specify an overall target for reducing migration when questioned by News24 host Andrew Clennell.
I think the international student industry that's been set up by the universities is a farce.
People are using it to come to the country. Then after they get in the country, they're only here for a few months. Then they change the courses. Then they apply for residence here in Australia. So they're using [it] as a back door to get into the country.
What is happening with defence cooperation in the Pacific?
Defence minister Richard Marles travelled to Port Moresby and Honiara over the weekend of 15–16 August 2026. On 15 August he met Papua New Guinea's prime minister, James Marape, and defence minister, Elias Kapavore, with discussions focused on strengthening defence ties and progressing the Pukpuk Treaty.
Marles was then due to travel to Solomon Islands to meet Prime Minister Matthew Wale and other government ministers for the opening of the Western Border Outpost in the Shortland Islands. The facility will bring police, customs, immigration and biosecurity officials together in a single location and will support Solomon Islands' -class patrol boats.
Pacific security is most effective when it is led by Pacific nations. Australia is proud to work alongside our Pacific partners to support their priorities and contribute to a secure, stable and resilient region.
What other developments were reported?
Anthony Albanese confirmed that Thailand's prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, will visit Australia this week, meeting Albanese in Canberra on 19 August 2026 to discuss deepening economic ties. It will be Anutin's first visit to Australia since taking office.
Australia and Thailand enjoy a warm relationship, built on trust and a shared commitment to a prosperous Indo-Pacific. Many Australians have experienced Thailand's warmth and hospitality through travel, while the Thai-Australian community continues to enrich our nation and strengthen the enduring ties between our countries through business and culture.
Separately, authorities confirmed a penguin from Phillip Island died of bird flu on Saturday, 15 August 2026 — the first such detection in a penguin in Victoria — ahead of a planned vaccination program, amid new positive detections of the virus in wild birds across two states.
What happens next?
The first phase of the NSW gun buyback is scheduled to begin on 2 November 2026, ahead of the first anniversary of the Bondi Beach attack on 14 December. Phase two, covering higher-value firearms worth more than $3,000 and capped at $10,000 in compensation, is expected to start in early 2027. Further implementation details are expected to be released as NSW Police take on administration of the scheme.
Key Facts
- Phase one compensation ranges from $450 for air rifles to $1,000 for revolvers or centre-fire rifles.
- NSW will be the first jurisdiction to launch the post-Bondi buyback, starting 2 November 2026.
- Up to 274,000 firearms and about 50,000 licence holders in NSW could be affected.
- The commonwealth will fund 50% of administration costs and all destruction costs.
- Phase two, targeting firearms worth over $3,000, is due to begin in early 2027.
