Australia news LIVE: Trump activist shot dead at college campus; Sussan Ley dismisses Jacinta Price

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7.16am

‘No place’ for political violence after Kirk death, says Marles

By Daniel Lo Surdo

Defence Minister Richard Marles has said there is “absolutely no place for political violence” after the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the 31-year-old MAGA activist fatally shot at a Utah university hours ago.

“Obviously, our thoughts go out to Charlie Kirk’s family. There is absolutely no place for political violence,” said Marles, who is acting prime minister while Anthony Albanese concludes his visit to the Pacific.

Charlie Kirk speaks before he is shot during Turning Point’s visit to Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday (local time).

“That’s the message that we have to take from this. It is a tragic event, and we all need to be and we do condemn political violence. This is not a way in which to resolve arguments and disputes and discussion in society.”

US President Donald Trump confirmed Kirk’s death moments ago.

7.10am

Marles and Hegseth discussed innovation before Ghost Shark announcement

By Daniel Lo Surdo

Defence Minister Richard Marles said he and American counterpart Pete Hegseth discussed innovation in their respective systems before Marles announced the procurement of underwater “Ghost Shark” drones worth almost $2 billion yesterday.

Marles has staged talks with Trump administration officials, including discussions with Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance last month, while the Pentagon continues its review of the AUKUS security agreement due to be finalised in coming months.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy at the unveiling of the Ghost Shark, an uncrewed submarine, at Garden Island, Sydney.

“We didn’t specifically talk about Ghost Sharks in those meetings, but having said that, we’ve spoken a lot about innovation in our systems, and there’s been a lot of collaboration with the States in relation to this kind of technology,” Marles said.

“There’s a lot of work that’s been done with the US in relation to this.”

6.50am

Charlie Kirk is dead, Trump says

By Daniel Lo Surdo

US President Donald Trump has confirmed that conservative political activist Charlie Kirk has died, hours after he was shot while speaking at a university in Utah.

“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” Trump wrote on social media moments ago.

Charlie Kirk was shot at a Utah university on Wednesday (local time).

“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”

Kirk, 31, founded the conservative political advocacy group Turning Point USA, as well as a political action committee by the same name.

6.35am

Bali inundated by deadly flash floods

By Zach Hope and Amilia Rosa

More than 10 people are feared dead on the holiday island of Bali after the first heavy rain of the coming wet season caused some of the worst flash flooding locals have ever seen.

Combined with rubbish-blocked drains, the rain late on Tuesday and into Wednesday transformed small creeks and channels into raging torrents that collapsed buildings and caused traffic gridlock.

A building on the edge of the Badung River in Denpasar City collapses after being hit by the floods.

One taxi driver said it took five hours to complete the 20 kilometres from Canggu to the airport.

Tourist hotspots appeared to have escaped the worst of the floods, but a few low-lying areas were inundated. Video seen by this masthead showed some visitors travelling in a rescue boat over calm waters for higher ground. Others waded in knee-deep water.

Key MAGA activist shot at US university

By Michael Koziol

Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, a prominent MAGA campaigner and fundraiser for President Donald Trump, has been shot while speaking at a university in Utah.

Utah Valley University said a shot was fired at Kirk about 12.10pm local time (4.10am AEST). “He was hit and taken from the location by his security. Campus police is investigating, a suspect is in custody.”

Charlie Kirk speaks before he is shot at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.

Video circulating on social media appeared to show Kirk being hit in the neck while speaking to a large outdoor audience from a tent emblazoned with the slogans “The American Comeback” and “Prove Me Wrong”. People in the crowd screamed in horror.

One video, which this masthead has chosen not to publish because it is too graphic, showed Kirk physically recoiling after being struck, and blood streaming from his neck.

6.26am

What’s making news today

By Daniel Lo Surdo

Hello and welcome to the national news blog. My name is Daniel Lo Surdo, and I’ll be helming our live coverage this morning.

Here’s what is making news today:

Conservative political activist and MAGA campaigner Charlie Kirk was shot while speaking at a Utah university hours ago. Kirk has been hospitalised, with a source telling the Associated Press he was in a critical condition. One suspect is in custody following the shooting, which left Kirk physically recoiling while blood streamed from his neck. US President Donald Trump said: “We must all pray for Charlie Kirk” after he was shot, describing him as “a great guy from top to bottom”.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has been dumped from the Coalition frontbench after a week of infighting following Price’s inflammatory comments suggesting Labor was prioritising Indian migration to win votes. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley asked Price to resign yesterday afternoon after Price refused to back Ley’s leadership and declined to apologise to the Indian community in a press conference earlier on Wednesday.
More than 10 people are feared dead in Bali after the first heavy rain of the coming wet season caused some of the worst flash flooding locals have ever seen. Rain on Tuesday and Wednesday transformed small creeks and channels into raging torrents that collapsed buildings and caused traffic gridlock, while tourist hotspots appeared to have escaped the worst of the floods.