Sunday, September 14th 2025
On 10 September 2025, Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University. Authorities have since announced an arrest. I am deeply saddened by his death. I had met Mr Kirk on several occasions, worked with members of his team, and been invited to events by his organisation.
As someone who has worked across political and advocacy organisations in Australia and the United States, I have both witnessed and personally experienced abuse on the street, online harassment, name-calling, intimidation (including being told I “do not exist,” as a deliberate attempt to delegitimise my presence), targeted megaphone attacks, reputational smears, false statements, and the throwing of objects. I have also witnessed vandalism of private property, stalking, and similar behaviour directed at candidates, members of parliament, colleagues, associates, and volunteers.
Political disagreements should be argued with ideas, not intimidation. Words and actions carry real-world consequences. The escalation in rhetoric, threats, and incidents we have all witnessed makes one thing clear: we can no longer treat “light” threats as nothing.
As a member of the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC), I align myself with its statement, “Political Violence Has No Place in American Democracy.”
This principle carries weight not only in the United States but internationally, and it is a standard to which we must all hold ourselves accountable.
The AAPC notes the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the targeted attacks in Minnesota that killed State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and wounded State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, calling for a united rejection of violence. As AAPC President Kyle Roberts put it, we must:
“defend democracy with words, ideas, and peaceful participation - never violence.”
Effective immediately, any threat, intimidation, or abusive conduct directed at me or at people working with me will be reported to police or legal representatives, as appropriate, without warning or second consideration. This includes, but is not limited to:
Reports will be made to the relevant authorities in Australia, and where appropriate, to partners in the United States. I intend to preserve evidence, cooperate fully with law enforcement, and pursue legal remedies where available going forward.
Under Australian workplace health and safety laws, all workers (including volunteers) are entitled to a safe environment, free from harassment and threats. This obligation extends to anyone involved in advocacy work, whether in the office, online, or within the community.
In politics, there is a fine line between being on duty and off duty. You carry your work wherever you go: walking into Parliament, attending events, door-knocking, running media conferences, or other public engagements are all part of that workplace. During campaign seasons, many volunteers wear shirts or caps promoting their candidate, and it is not unusual to be approached while on a break.
The public should respect the work of candidates, volunteers, and staff, respecting personal boundaries, and refrain from personal attacks, intimidation, or any form of abuse.
I welcome robust, good-faith debate. If you wish to challenge an idea, please do so respectfully. Personal abuse, harassment, or threats will not be entertained; they will be documented and referred to the appropriate authorities.
No individual is entitled to time or attention on demand. In my own professional capacity, I have often worked seven days a week for extended periods, with days starting as early as 2 am. I have flown interstate for single-day commitments and driven hours to and from regional locations. These tight deadlines, heavy travel schedules, and demanding engagement opportunities limit the ability to respond to every opinion or request for discussion for myself and other individuals.
This is not a dismissal of anyone’s viewpoint but a reflection of the realities of political and advocacy work. Those wishing to engage with candidates, public officials, staff, or volunteers should recognise and respect these constraints.
If you witness conduct that appears threatening or unlawful, prioritise safety, contact police, and, if safe to do so, preserve evidence such as screenshots, videos, or incident details.
Finally, it is deeply disappointing that a statement like this is necessary. My hope is that, in time, we can return to an environment where disagreement is expressed through dialogue and debate rather than hostility, intimidation, or fear.
Until then, I remain committed to safety, civility, and constructive engagement.
Adrian Lodders
Former Senior Adviser to the Opposition Leader of Victoria
This statement will be updated if required. Others are welcome to use or adapt this statement to protect themselves, their teams, and their organisations.