Pakistan, Aug. 16 -- Australia's New South Wales state will launch a major gun buyback programme on November 2, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced as part of tighter national firearm controls.

The programme follows a December shooting at a Jewish festival in Sydney that killed 15 people and prompted the government to strengthen gun licensing and safety measures.

People returning eligible rifles and handguns will receive compensation of up to A$1,000 per firearm, making the programme Australia's largest buyback since the 1996 Port Arthur massacre.

The federal government introduced laws in January covering the buyback, stricter licence checks and measures targeting hate, following the deadly Bondi Beach attack in Australia's most ...