Australian shot dead in Argentina: report

An Australian tourist has reportedly been shot and killed in a botched robbery in Argentina.

Argentinian news organisation Todo Noticias says thieves on a motorcycle tried to grab the victim's backpack in a park in Mendoza city, and shot him when he resisted.

Two other tourists, an Australian woman and a French man, were reported to be with the victim, who was shot twice.

Mendoza's police chief Juan Carlos Caleri told Todo Noticias the victim, believed to be in his 30s, had gunshot wounds to his neck and chest.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra said consular officials were following up the reports.