NSW Premier vows election fight over 'price worth paying' gun buyback

New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has declared a new gun buyback scheme "too important for NSW," vowing to contest opposition parties at the next election over the initiative. The premier, alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, formally announced plans expected to remove approximately 274,000 guns from circulation, potentially exceeding the post-Port Arthur massacre buyback.

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This is too important for NSW. We're ready to fight an election on it, not that we want that, we're not changing our position and voters ought to know that when they cast their ballot.

The scheme, slated to commence on November 2, will allow individuals to surrender firearms that breach possession limits for up to $1,000. By early next year, this compensation will increase to a maximum of $10,000 for firearms with a market value exceeding $3,000. These reforms are designated as "phase one" of laws enacted following the Bondi Beach terror attack.

However, the plan faces strong opposition from One Nation, which has pledged to repeal the legislation if it gains power in the state. "This is too important for NSW," Minns stated, emphasizing his readiness to fight an election on the issue. He acknowledged the scheme's significant cost, potentially reaching "hundreds of millions of dollars," but asserted it is "a price worth paying."

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I'm not gonna skirt it, it's expensive. But it's a price worth paying.

Prime Minister Albanese lauded the joint federal and state effort as a crucial step in "taking guns off our streets." He also criticized the "farcical" firearms legislation in other Australian states, pointing to issues like untraceable paper licenses. NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley indicated the changes would affect about a quarter of the state's 1.2 million firearms license holders.

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taking guns off our streets

NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane accused the government of neglecting "legitimate concerns" and failing to consult in good faith, warning of unintended consequences. Meanwhile, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson reiterated her party's opposition, arguing the focus should be on "radicals" and those on watchlists, not law-abiding citizens like farmers.

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I think it is somewhat farcical that some states were still … having paper licences that therefore couldn't be traced.