Aussie MPs condemn "hate crime" murder of British MP

Australian MPs have on Friday expressed their condolences at news of the death of British Labor MP Jo Cox, who was slain on a West Yorkshire street overnight (Australian time).

Many high-profile Australian political leaders, including Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, expressed their horror at the news that the 41-year-old was gunned down and stabbed in the street, with many, including Turnbull, labeling the murder a "hate crime".

"(I am) deeply shocked by the murder of UK MP Jo Cox. Our condolences, prayers and solidarity are with her family and the people of the UK," Turnbull said on social media on Friday.

Cox was shot on a street in her West Yorkshire seat of Bately and Spen by a man who was said to have shouted "put Britain first" before the killing. Cox was a well-known advocate of Britain staying in the EU, with the nation's crucial Brexit referendum set to take place on June 23.

Opposition Leader and the head of Australia's equivalent Labor Party, Bill Shorten, also denounced the murder as a "shocking hate crime", but said it shouldn't deter politicians from continuing their hard work in the community.

"I don't feel scared in public spaces at all," Shorten told the press, "I like people and I would not let a tiny proportion of idiot discourage us from doing our job."

The government's Leader of the House, Christopher Pyne said the ordeal was a "tragedy beyond imagination" for such a young person to be killed in the name of their work.

He added that it would be a shame if politicians in democracies such as in Britain and Australia felt the need to avoid public appearances and disconnect from the community in the wake of the shooting.

"One of the great strengths of Australian and British politics is the approachability of MPs, and candidates for that matter," Pyne said after offering his condolences.

"It would be a great tragedy if we changed that because of this sort of behavior." Endit