Police officer killed at rural property

An Australian police officer has been shot dead on a rural property in Tasmania.

The officer was undertaking “routine duties” at a house in North Motton, near the town of Ulverstone, on Monday morning when he was fired at by “a member of the public”, Tasmania Police said in a statement.

A second police officer returned fire, injuring the suspect, who then surrendered.

The alleged offender was not seriously injured, but the police officer died of his injuries at the scene.

Shootings are relatively rare in Australia, which introduced some of the world’s strictest firearm regulations after 35 people were killed in a massacre by a lone gunman at Port Arthur, Tasmania, in 1996.

A crime scene was established and the coroner was notified following Monday’s shooting, a police spokesperson said, adding that “there is no ongoing threat to the public”.

“This is a traumatic incident and wellbeing support is being provided to those involved and affected,” the statement said.

Police are expected to update the media on Monday afternoon.