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Federal government to fund majority of ACT gun buyback scheme
Australia🏛️ PoliticsCenter2 days ago

Federal government to fund majority of ACT gun buyback scheme

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has agreed to participate in a national gun buyback scheme, which will be partially funded by the federal government. The initiative follows a National Cabinet decision to address antisemitism and improve gun laws after the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. While New South Wales (NSW) will start the program in November, the ACT had previously negotiated funding terms with the federal government. Under the agreement, the Commonwealth will cover 75% of the buyback costs and 100% of firearm destruction expenses, with the ACT covering the remainder. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the importance of national gun reform to prevent future terrorist attacks. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr praised the collaboration, noting the territory already has strong firearms laws and the buyback will enhance community safety. No specific dates or compensation rates for the scheme have been disclosed yet.

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) will implement a gun buyback scheme, with the federal government covering 75 per cent of the cost, according to a recent agreement between Canberra and the national government. The initiative mirrors the program introduced in New South Wales (NSW), which began on November 2, and forms part of broader national efforts to tighten gun control measures following the Bondi Beach terrorist attack in December last year. This move aligns with a National Cabinet decision aimed at eradicating antisemitism and reinforcing gun laws nationwide. Negotiations between the ACT and federal governments had previously stalled over financial arrangements, despite the territory’s commitment to participate in the scheme. Now, the Commonwealth will cover 75 per cent of the buyback and related administrative expenses, while fully subsidizing the destruction of firearms. The ACT government will bear the remaining costs. Details regarding the start date of the scheme within the territory and the compensation amount for surrendered weapons remain undisclosed. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the importance of national gun reform in preventing future acts of terrorism. In a statement, he noted that the scheme represents a step toward ensuring such incidents do not recur. “National gun reform is an important part of making sure an antisemitic terrorist attack like we saw at Bondi can’t happen again,” he said. He praised the ACT government for its cooperation in removing firearms from public access to enhance community safety. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr echoed this sentiment, highlighting the collaborative effort between the ACT, NSW, and the federal government to improve firearms safety. “Reducing the number of high-risk firearms in circulation is a sensible and practical measure to help keep Canberrans safer,” he stated. Barr acknowledged that the majority of licensed gun owners in the territory are responsible and law-abiding citizens. He also noted that the ACT already maintains some of the strictest firearms regulations in the nation, and the agreement supports continued progress in reducing risks associated with illegal firearm ownership. In addition to joining the national buyback scheme, the ACT government has proposed additional legislative changes to its existing firearms laws. These proposals were initially outlined in February and include limiting licensed gun holders to owning up to five firearms. Exceptions allow for up to 10 guns for occupational or sporting purposes. The legislation also seeks to criminalize the possession of blueprints for 3D-printed firearms, ban belt-fed weapons, and reclassify certain types of firearms based on risk factors. The Firearms (Public Safety) Amendment Bill 2026 is currently under consideration by the ACT Legislative Assembly and is anticipated to be debated during the upcoming spring session. The proposed reforms aim to address concerns about the accessibility of dangerous firearms and prevent them from falling into unauthorized hands. While the exact implementation details of the buyback scheme remain pending, the agreement signals a significant shift in the ACT’s approach to firearm regulation. As discussions continue, the focus remains on balancing public safety with the rights of responsible gun owners. The outcome of these developments could influence future policy decisions in other regions, potentially shaping a more unified national strategy on gun control.

2 reports

ABC News (Australia) logoABC News (Australia)State / PublicCenterFactual 85Objective 902 days ago
Federal government to fund majority of ACT gun buyback scheme

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has agreed to participate in a national gun buyback scheme, which will be partially funded by the federal government. The initiative follows a National Cabinet decision to address antisemitism and improve gun laws after the Bondi Beach terrorist attack. While New South Wales (NSW) will start the program in November, the ACT had previously negotiated funding terms with the federal government. Under the agreement, the Commonwealth will cover 75% of the buyback costs and 100% of firearm destruction expenses, with the ACT covering the remainder. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the importance of national gun reform to prevent future terrorist attacks. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr praised the collaboration, noting the territory already has strong firearms laws and the buyback will enhance community safety. No specific dates or compensation rates for the scheme have been disclosed yet.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the gun buyback scheme as a bipartisan effort, emphasizing collaboration between the federal government and the ACT. It includes quotes from both the Prime Minister and the ACT Chief Minister, highlighting shared goals of improving safety and reducing risks. There is no overtly左

Why factuality (85): The article accurately reports the agreement between the federal and ACT governments regarding the funding of the gun buyback scheme. It references the National Cabinet commitment following the Bondi Beach attack and aligns with the cross-source consensus on the scheme's implementation. The article

Why objectivity (90): The article presents information in a neutral tone, quoting officials and providing factual details without apparent bias. It avoids emotionally charged language and focuses on the policy implications rather than expressing personal opinions on gun control.

SBS News logoSBS NewsState / PublicCenterFactual 85Objective 802 days ago
ACT signs on to federal firearms buyback scheme

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has joined a federal gun buyback program aimed at reducing firearms in circulation following the Bondi mass shooting. The scheme, which offers compensation and covers administrative costs, is the second jurisdiction to participate after New South Wales. It is expected to affect approximately 14% of the ACT’s 7,000 licensed firearm holders. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the importance of strengthening gun laws to prevent future attacks, while ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr noted the need for additional safety measures despite the territory’s existing strict firearm regulations. Opposition exists among some states, including conservative-led regions like the Northern Territory and Queensland, which have declined participation.

Bias read (Center): The article presents the gun buyback scheme as a bipartisan effort, citing support from both federal and territorial leaders. While it highlights concerns over gun violence and the need for stricter controls, it also acknowledges opposition from certain states without overtly favoring any particular

Why factuality (85): The article reports on the ACT joining a federal gun buyback scheme, citing the Bondi mass shooting as the catalyst. It mentions NSW as the first jurisdiction to join and provides statistics on firearms in the ACT. The information aligns with cross-source consensus about the scheme's purpose and tim

Why objectivity (80): The article presents the information in a generally neutral tone but includes direct quotes from political leaders, which can influence perception. While not overtly biased, the framing of the scheme as a measure to enhance community safety may subtly favor the policy's intent over potential counter

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