Former Australian Football League figures Sam Newman and Wayne Carey warned that Australia could be heading toward political violence similar to the United States and Britain after the fatal shooting of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Newman, a polarising ex-player and former Footy Show presenter, made the comments on his "You Cannot Be Serious" podcast while discussing Kirk's killing and the man charged in the case, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson. Newman said he feared a breakdown in debate that could lead to violence against outspoken figures.
"This is where that country (Britain) is headed and we'll probably follow the same way where if you disagree with what someone said it's open slather to shoot and kill them," Newman told former North Melbourne premiership-winner Wayne Carey during the recorded conversation. Newman also said Kirk's death showed "very big sections of America" believed he deserved to die and predicted U.S. President Donald Trump's life would be at risk during a state visit to Britain this week.
"That's why they shot him (Kirk), because he converted people over to follow Trump and it's all about Trump and they've tried twice now to kill Trump and they'll probably try again over in Britain today when he arrives," Newman said.
Carey spoke at length about his admiration for Kirk, describing him as "one of the biggest supporters of freedom of speech in the history of the world" and praising Kirk's debating ability. "I've heard him speak to every walk of life out there and I've disagreed at the start but by the time the debate ended I agreed with him," Carey said.
Both Newman and Carey framed their remarks as concern for robust public discourse. "We've got to the stage in America, if you disagree with someone you can go and murder them," Newman said on the podcast, adding that he believed the killing was an attempt to silence viewpoints.
The remarks come amid expressions of grief and commentary about Kirk's death from other figures in Australian sport. Former Geelong and Gold Coast star Gary Ablett Jr posted tributes to Kirk on his Instagram story, reposting videos by U.S. pastor Cliffe Knechtle who thanked Kirk for upholding "the Judeo-Christian ethic" and saying, "Thank you so much Lord Jesus that he's enjoying your presence like never before." Former basketball player Andrew Bogut said the killing had "jolted" everyday Australians who typically avoid politics and shared a thread by game developer Mark Kern arguing that public trust had been eroded.
Kirk, who founded the conservative youth group Turning Point USA and was a prominent commentator, was shot dead in the United States earlier this month. Authorities have identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson as the person arrested in connection with the shooting; charges and the status of any investigation have been reported by U.S. outlets. Newman and Carey's podcast discussion reflects how the incident is reverberating internationally, drawing attention from public figures far outside American politics.
Newman and Carey's comments exemplify a growing tendency for sports personalities to weigh in on political events, particularly when incidents are framed by supporters as attacks on free speech. The debate over whether political rhetoric contributes to violence has been a persistent feature of public discourse in multiple countries, with commentators on both sides warning against simplifications and calls for calm.
Representatives for Newman, Carey, Ablett and Bogut did not immediately respond to requests for additional comment. Australian newspaper coverage and social media reactions have amplified the conversation, as commentators and athletes interpret an overseas killing through the lens of domestic concerns about political polarization and public safety.
As investigations into Kirk's death continue in the United States, the case has prompted renewed discussion internationally about the relationship between political discourse and violence, the protection of public figures, and the role of high-profile personalities in shaping public sentiment.