Sydney cafe siege: Prime Minister’s statement Sydney cafe siege: Prime Minister’s statement 



Skip to:
Main Content
Site Navigation
Site Footer
Site Search
Site Map
Network Navigation (other sites)





Make news.com.au your homepage
Fox Sports
CareerOne
Carsguide
RealEstate
News Network




						National
			

News.com.au
 











News.com.au


National


World


Breaking News


Pacific


Asia


North America


South America


Africa


Middle East


Europe





Lifestyle


Health


Fitness


Parenting


Food


Relationships


Fashion


Beauty


Home


Real Life


Horoscopes





Travel


Travel Updates


Travel Advice


Travel Ideas


Australian Holidays


World Travel





Entertainment


Celebrity Life


Celebrity Style


TV & Radio


Movies


Music


Books & Magazines


Awards





Technology


Science


Online


Gaming


Gadgets


Environment


Design





Finance


Markets


Business


Work


Economy


Real Estate


Money


Small Business


Superannuation





Sport


Sport Breaking News


NRL


AFL


Tennis


Motorsport


Cricket


UFC


Other Sports


Netball


Golf


Cycling


Boxing & UFC


Basketball


Football


Rugby


Horse Racing


Sports Life





Video 


News 


Entertainment


Lifestyle


Travel


Business and Money


Technology


Sport





Facebook


Twitter


Instagram


LinkedIn


GooglePlus


Search



 



Breaking News


NSW & ACT


Queensland


Victoria


Western Australia


South Australia


Northern Territory


Tasmania


Opinion



 



National


NSW & ACT


Queensland


Victoria


Western Australia


South Australia


Northern Territory


Tasmania


Breaking News


Opinion


Meet the Press



 



Last updated:
		

						January 23, 2015
				  





Weather: 


						Sydney 22°C
						-
						29°C
.
					 Partly cloudy.
				
 


























LATEST IN NATIONAL








Abbott’s plea: ‘Please reconsider’




				TONY Abbott is pleading with Indonesia to reconsider its decision to execute Bali Nine pair Myuran Sukumaran and Andrew Chan.
	 







 





‘WorkChoices just sedated’: Shorten




				THE government says it’s “dead, buried and cremated”, but Labor is already reviving its WorkChoices campaign, arguing it’s merely “sedated”.
	 







 





‘Replace Abbott with Bishop’




				THE self-confessed Liberal voter who roasted Tony Abbott on talkback for being the “world’s worst salesman” believes Julie Bishop should replace him.
	 







 





The women to watch in Australia




				THE number of female CEOs is about to get even smaller as Westpac boss Gail Kelly steps down. But there are other inspiring women in her footsteps.
	 







 





US admits Hicks is ‘innocent’




				DAVID Hicks’ terrorism conviction will be crushed as the US conceded the former Guantánamo Bay inmate is innocent, his lawyer says.
	 







 





The stories you need to know today




				IS this the day Australia melts? Some towns are warned to brace for near 50C temperatures in what may go down as the hottest day in Aussie history.
	 







 





Jihadi’s kids ‘begged to go home’




				AUSTRALIAN jihadists Khaled Sharrouf and Mohamed Elomar have been accused of enslaving and raping women from the Yazidi religious minority in northern Iraq.
	 






1 video
					



						 					Australian Khaled Sharrouf enslaving and raping Yazidi women
						 		
0:22






 





Is minimum wage on chopping block?




				IT’S being described as a “once-in-a-generation” inquiry into Australia’s workplace relations system. But will it go as far as calling for an end to the minimum wage?
	 






1 video
					



						 					Unions say hold fire on workplace laws
						 		
0:24






 
 
 









national







National News





						Prime Minister Tony Abbott announces National Security Committee review of Sydney siege
				





by:
Jennifer Rajca 


From:

	        News Corp Australia Network
							


December 16, 2014
2:15PM






Increase Text Size
Decrease Text Size
Print

Email


Share

Add to Digg
Add to del.icio.us
Add to Facebook
Add to Kwoff
Add to Myspace
Add to Newsvine
What are these?



 






Video


Image








Thousands pay tribute at Martin Place
                4:02




Play video








                    Dignitaries have joined thousands of mourners laying flowers near the scene of a deadly Sydney siege.
                




Sky News
16 Dec 2014

News






 



 

The Prime Minister Tony Abbott addresses the nation during a press conference in Parliament House Canberra.
Source: News Corp Australia
 

 
 



				TONY Abbott said it is “tragic beyond words” that Australians were caught up in a “brush with terrorism” buying a morning coffee in Martin Place.
				



“These events do demonstrate that even a country as free, as open, as generous and as safe as ours is vulnerable to acts of politically motivated violence.“But they also remind us that Australia and Australians are resilient and we are ready to respond.”SIEGE OVER: POLICE STORM CAFE AND KILL GUNMAN THE GUNMAN: WHO IS SHEIK MAN HARON MONIS?RESCUED: WEEPING HOSTAGES FREED IN RAID
Mr Abbott said the perpetrator was well known to authorities and “had a long history of violent crime, infatuation with extremism and mental instability”.He sent letters to the families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan and posted graphic extremist material online, he added.“As the siege unfolded yesterday, he sought to cloak his actions with the symbolism of the ISIL death cult.”The Prime Minister said “plainly, there are lessons to be learned” from the events.“We will thoroughly examine this incident.”







Tragic beyond words ... Prime Minister Tony Abbott holding a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra. Pic: Kym Smith
Source: News Corp Australia




He told reporters in Canberra that he will head to Sydney in the early afternoon.Earlier, Mr Abbott issued a statement saying the government’s National Security Committee of Cabinet would meet to review the siege — the third such meeting in 24 hours.In a statement, the Prime Minister said “our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two deceased hostages, the wounded and the other hostages”.“I commend the courage and professionalism of the New South Wales Police and other emergency services involved.”Mr Abbott was this morning briefed on the developments by Premier Mike Baird and NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione, as well as AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin.Commonwealth agencies will continue to provide every support to NSW authorities, he said.The National Security Committee of Cabinet is made up of Mr Abbott, Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Defence Minister David Johnson, Attorney-General George Brandis and AFP Commissioner Andrew Colvin.







Fleeing ... Hostages run to safety after police swooped into the Lindt Chocolat Cafe. Pic: AP Photo/Rob Griffith
Source: AP




Bill Shorten joined with the Prime Minister in sharing his “thoughts and prayers” with the innocent people who were killed and their families.“We also keep in our thoughts the wounded and other hostages, and their families.“Their ordeal is not over.”The Opposition Leader said “we owe our full gratitude to our police and security agencies for their bravery, service and sacrifice”.“Their skill and professionalism has saved lives.”Labor continues to offer the government is “full support”, he added.







Full support ... Bill Shorten makes a statement supporting the Government in regards to the Sydney hostage incident. Pic: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images




Bill Shorten said he hopes in time there can be a permanent memorial for the victims of the Martin Place tragedy.“To all those who have escaped from this ordeal with their lives, the wounded and the frightened, Australia is here for you,” the Opposition Leader told reporters in Melbourne.Mr Shorten said the attack had “failed”, because “Australians have not lost faith and will never lose faith in our peaceful, multicultural society”.“We will stand united, we will face the challenges of this dark moment together and together, we will endure, together we will prevail.”







In shock ... A woman carried out from the Lindt Cafe, Martin Place by police following the hostage standoff. Pic: Joosep Martinson/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images




Acting Greens Leader Adam Bandt joined them, extending the party’s “greatest sympathies”.“To the victims, their families and friends, police and health workers, and to anyone around the nation watching at home impacted by this morning’s tragic events our hearts go out to you,” he said.“It is critical that the nation comes together today.“We should comfort one another and open our arms in warm embrace to all peace-loving people regardless of faith, race or nationality.”Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove stressed now is a time “for coming together” and “for unity, as Australians”.







Terrified ... People run with their hands up from the Lindt Cafe, Martin Place during a hostage standoff after police stormed the cafe. Pic: Joosep Martinson/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images




“We must unite in our resolve to protect what we value most – our way of life, our care and respect for each other,” he said in a statement.“To the families and loved ones, our thoughts and prayers are with you during your unimaginable grief.“For those injured, we are willing you to recover, and for all those caught up, we stand with you.“I want to commend the work of the police and emergency responders, who worked tirelessly to bring this incident to a peaceful conclusion and responded so quickly when that proved not possible.”NSW Premier Mike Baird has announced flags on all NSW Government buildings will fly at half-mast today to honour those who lost their lives in the siege.The Premier is also inviting people who wish to lay a floral tribute to the victims to do so at Martin Place.







Tribute ... A woman cries as she leaves flowers to pay her respects at Martin Place after the siege in Sydney's Lindt Cafe. Pic: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
Source: Getty Images




Condolence books will also be provided later today near the Martin Place water fountain, facing Pitt Street.“Today the people of NSW and Australia have the heaviest of hearts and we are taking steps to allow the community to share our collective grief,” Mr Baird said.Mr Abbott said he also instructed the Australian flag be flown at half-mast on all Commonwealth Government buildings as “a mark of respect and mourning”.The flag on top of Parliament House in Canberra as well as others on the Sydney Harbour Bridge were among those flying at half-mast.As a mark of respect, flags on all Commonwealth buildings will fly at half-mast for victims of the #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/nXWLktRhO3— Tony Abbott (@TonyAbbottMHR) December 15, 2014








Increase Text Size
Decrease Text Size
Print

Email


Share

Add to Digg
Add to del.icio.us
Add to Facebook
Add to Kwoff
Add to Myspace
Add to Newsvine
What are these?





Back to top of page

































Have your say

Skip to:
Read comments
Add comments







Add your comment on this story















Comments Form


Enter your comment here *

1200 characters left



Your details

Name (as it will appear on the site) *




Email Address *




Location (optional)




Post Options


Remember my details



Email me if my comment is published


News.com.au's Privacy Policy includes important information about our collection, use and disclosure of your personal information (including to provide you with targeted content and advertising based on your online activities). It explains that if you do not provide us with information we have requested from you, we may not be able to provide you with the goods and services you require. It also explains how you can access or seek correction of your personal information, how you can complain about a breach of the Australian Privacy Principles and how we will deal with a complaint of that nature.





Submit




















Comments on this story







Wade of Melb  Posted at 1:38 PM December 16, 2014

Geoff for PM. Remember Jill Maher? Clearly our slack legal system has failed. Yet again. Instead of building giant ferris wheels, give us a super huge maxi prison. The jobs created to build it, and the idiots contained within it, will see that it pays for itself.
Tony Abbott, the people of Australia have had enough. Do something about it before the people of Australia do the only thing we know what to do in times of trouble, and that is to fight back. Hard. The public has a right to know the name of the judge who let this guy continue to walk around, and the reasons why. The judge should be disbarred immediately.






Geoff   Posted at 11:28 AM December 16, 2014

It is time for reforms. Someone who had the record of his should have never been give  bail in the first place. I sincerely feel for the families of the brave victims and hope that there is some peace in the fact that your losses are losses felt by all people living in Australia 





tony   Posted at 9:39 AM December 16, 2014

....weak government ,weak leaders ,weak judges , weak courts and 18c are at the core of what happened today. Lets hope that the death of the hostages is not in vain , and that there might be a STRONG response from SOMEONE in charge...








Show All 3 Comments 




































National Breaking News 






2:20PM
Bomb response unit called to Melbourne CBD
						


2:00PM
Gas leak at Victor Harbor service station
						


2:00PM
LNP won't commit to seats it doesn't win
						


2:00PM
PM still trying to save Chan and Sukumaran
						


2:00PM
Hanson wants referendum on burqa
						

 
 
 


BEST FROM











The withering reviews of 12 bad movies






 More at the Herald Sun 
 The Herald Sun 




 
 








Dr Karl says bring on the nana nap






 More at The Courier-Mail 
 The Courier Mail 




 
 








Cop felt 'intimidated' by petrol magnate






 More at The Advertiser 
 The Advertiser 




 
 








26 deported to Ireland after home repair scam






 More at Perth Now 
 Perth Now 




 
 








Seven facts that confirm Tim Cahill is Australia's super sniper






 More at Fox Sports 
 Fox Sports 




 
 








Lindt cafe survivor shuns financial help



 



 More at The Telegraph 
 The Daily Telegraph 




 
 
 

Prev
1 of 6
Next

 











































Daily Deals








0% Credit Cards 


Find sweet 0% p.a. balance transfer credit card offers today









iPhone 6


We compare all carriers and deals









Compare Plans


Switching networks or staying, we compare it









0% p.a. for 16 Months


Enjoy a low rate on balance transfers. Conditions apply









Need a Personal Loan?


Compare low rate loans from top lenders now









Hotels Under $99pn


Fantastic Deals on Select Hotels
























News.com.au


Newsletters


Mobile


RSS


ADVERTISE


ABOUT US









								A NOTE ABOUT RELEVANT ADVERTISING: We collect information about the content (including ads) you use across this site and use it to make both advertising and content more relevant to you on our network and other sites.
			

								This is also known as Online Behavioural Advertising. 
			

Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out.







Privacy Policy


Relevant Ads Opt-Out


Cookie Policy


Terms & Conditions





								News Limited Copyright © 2015. All times on this site are AEDT (GMT +11).
			






News.com.au


























