“The president of the United States,I’m sure,doesn’t go to the local shopping centre. I think it’s a good thing that here in Australia I can. It’s a good thing that I’m able to walk around,and I don’t want to see that diminished.”

Albanese said he had received briefings from Australia’s ambassador to the US,Kevin Rudd,about the shooting and was “relieved by the news that the former president is safe and doing fine,and I wish him and his family well.

“This was an inexcusable attack on the democratic values that Australians and Americans share and the freedom that we treasure. These values are ones that unite our two countries... all Australians stand with our friends in the United States at this difficult time,” he said.

He urged everyone to “be on guard against those seeking to use misinformation to create division. And this is a time for unity,it’s a time for calm,it’s a time for allowing the authorities in the United States to do their jobs”.

Former prime ministers Scott Morrison,Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott all took to social media platform X to express their shock at the news and their relief that the former president was safe.

“Prayers for him and his family today,as well as all those who put their own lives at risk to protect those in public life. Prayers also for America and its people,a great democracy and our great friend,at this difficult time,” Morrison said.

Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull said:“We hope an angry&divided America takes this terrible moment as a cue to calm,reset and steady. The world’s most consequential democracy seems on the edge of something worse.”

Former prime minister Tony Abbott said he was shocked by the news of the assassination attempt,and that “it’s never right to try to settle a political argument with a gun”.

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