Politicians and faith leader unit to condemn attack on emergency service workers and call for calm

They were ugly scenes with the potential to spread. Within hours of last night’s attack, the state’s religious leaders were publicly calling for calm. Today the premier called them in to offer his praise. I think it’s so important for the people of NSW to understand that the civic and religious leadership of NSW is firmly united and committed to calmness, peace and harmony. NSW Police will share the counter terrorism investigation with the AFP. And domestic spy agency ASIO when we lowered the terrorism threat level to possible. I said at the time that possible does not mean negligible and the most likely attack would be an individual that goes to violence with little or no warning, with a knife, car or gun. Now those fears have been realised in a city that was already on edge, people are feeling uneasy and that is understandable. Given the atrocity that occurred on Saturday and then this incident last night, it is vital in, in my view, that we continue to stress what unites us. And that respect for each other be maintained at all times. The declaration of a terrorist incident can give police special powers to stop and search people, vehicles and property, all without a warrant, but so far they haven’t been needed. If there is a need to amend those powers, though, those powers will be sought. Not only was the attack live streamed, it’s still being shared online, and the country’s E Safety Commissioner says she’s not satisfied with the response of some social media companies. That is why I am exercising my powers under the Online Safety Act to formally compel them to remove it. The pictures may be taken down, but the memory of this attack will haunt the community for years to come.