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Charlie Kirk, who co-founded conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA, was shot dead overnight while speaking at a university in Utah.
Mr Kirk, 31, was particularly focused on promoting conservative values on campuses.
Authorities are still hunting a suspect after releasing a person of interest.
Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said on Thursday his death “is an absolute tragedy”.
“Our thoughts go out to the family of Charlie Kirk,” Mr Marles told Sky News.
“Obviously, we condemn any form of political violence.
“It really matters that political discourse occurs peacefully and through dialogue and conversation, and what we’ve seen play out in the United States over the last few hours is an absolute tragedy.”
He went on to say that from “an Australian point of view … we very much cherish the ability to be able to have dialogue and conversation and debate in this country free from political violence”.
The opposition has echoed the government, with Sussan Ley saying the Coalition stood “in solidarity with those who mourn” and Liberal frontbencher James Paterson calling the killing “absolutely shocking”.
“As far as I’m aware, they’ve still not apprehended the suspect or identified them, so it’s difficult to speak to their motives, but Charlie Kirk was obviously a prominent conservative political activist and someone who’s very close to President Trump,” Senator Paterson told Sky, adding “it’s highly likely” the shooting was politically motivated.
“And that is a very distressing thing for those of us who think fondly of the United States.
“And it does appear that there has been a recent uptick – although it’s not unknown in US history to have political violence – in recent years.”
Also appearing on Sky, Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young took a similar line, saying the US “is meant to be a free thinking, open-minded democracy, and yet this culture, this gun culture and culture of political assassination … together with the division and the kind of rise of nasty politics and nasty type of debate and hate … is obviously really shaking the foundations of America”.
“I am thankful that that gun culture and kind of political assassination culture is something that stands in stark difference to Australia,” she told Sky.
“(It’s) not something that we are used to here and something that we must resist at all costs and with effort.”
The US President has paid tribute to Mr Kirk on social media.
“No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie,” Mr Trump wrote.
“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!”
More to come
