Australia open to taking gunman back from NZ

Australia's prime minister said on Friday he was open to allowing an Australian white supremacist who killed 51 worshippers at two New Zealand mosques to serve his life sentence in his homeland, but stressed that the victims' wishes would be paramount. A transfer would buck international convention and require changes to the laws in both countries, but proponents of the idea have called for Australia to take responsibility for imprisoning Brenton Harrison Tarrant and take the costs off New Zealanders. Tarrant, 29, was sentenced on Thursday to life in prison without parole for the March 2019 attacks.

He is the first person to be denied the possibility of parole in New Zealand and is given enhanced security in prison for his own safety. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said while New Zealand had made no official request, the Australian government was open to taking him back. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has shown little enthusiasm for the idea of a transfer telling current laws don't allow it and that any decision should be driven by the wishes of survivors and family members.