Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has said he will absolutely not take part in the national gun buyback, arguing good people should keep their weapons. NSW police stations in six locations will accept surrendered guns from November 2, with 34 more sites opening from December 1. NSW is the only state so far to sign up, and the scheme will compensate people for firearms they can no longer legally own. NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said fewer guns in the community means a safer community.
Firearms licence holders in NSW can now book through the Gun Safe portal to surrender eligible guns and ammunition for compensation. The scheme officially starts on 2 November and is expected to see up to 274,000 firearms returned in the state. It follows the Bondi Beach terror attack earlier this year, in which 15 people were killed. Only Sutherland and Penrith police stations take bookings in the first phase, with more stations opening later in November and in 2027. Police Minister Yasmin Catley said fewer guns in the community mean a safer community.
Former Israeli hostage Daniella Gilboa has sent a message of support to people affected by the Bondi Beach terror attack. She said she felt a connection with survivors and victims' families after visiting the temporary menorah memorial at Archer Park. Ms Gilboa, who was held for 477 days before her release in January 2025, is in Australia to perform at the SHIR Australian Jewish Music Festival. The Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion is due to deliver its final report on December 18, four days after the anniversary of the attack.
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NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane has told gun owners who do not want to surrender their firearms to hold on to them. She vowed to scrap key elements of the state's gun buyback scheme if the Liberals win government in the March election. The Shooters Union has urged gun owners to boycott the scheme. Phase one, due to start in two weeks, offers between $450 and $1000 to licence holders who are above the new legal limit. Sloane said the focus should be on illegal firearms held by organised criminals and terrorists instead.
A Sydney man who made death threats to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after the Bondi Beach attack has avoided jail. Gregory William Tait, 44, of Greystanes, pleaded guilty to two charges of using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence. Acting Judge Timothy Keady sentenced him to a two-year good behaviour bond. Tait apologised for his behaviour, saying he had been drinking, taking sleeping pills and grieving his father's death. The judge said politicians should be able to do their jobs without such threats.
Secret extra hearings will be held by the anti-Semitism royal commission to examine Australia's counter-terrorism, intelligence and law enforcement agencies before the Bondi attack. Commissioner Virginia Bell said the sessions will be closed to the public because of the sensitivity of the evidence and to avoid prejudice to national security and ongoing criminal proceedings. The hearings will review the security environment, how intelligence about individuals was shared, security arrangements for the Chanukah by the Sea event, and counter-terrorism resourcing.
The Royal Commission into Anti-semitism and Social Cohesion will hold an additional hearing later this month, closed to the public. The commission said the evidence is sensitive and the hearing is classified to avoid prejudice to national security and ongoing criminal proceedings. The hearing is part of the second block, which examined the deadly Bondi Beach terror attack last December. The Coalition had earlier urged the government to continue the public investigation.
