Australian prime minister and NSW premier hold media conference, as attention turns to the fact gunman Man Haron Monis was on bail
• Hostages in the Sydney siege: ‘We’re not getting out of here’
• Sydney siege gunman Man Haron Monis: the unlikely violent extremist
• #illridewithyou: hashtag offers solidarity with Sydney’s Muslims
• The end of the siege – in pictures
• Catch up with our coverage so far
8.48am GMT
Here’s a roundup of the Guardian’s latest coverage of the siege and its aftermath:
8.31am GMT
German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert has expressed sympathy for the families of Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson.
Unsere Gedanken sind bei den Opfern der Geiselnahme und ihren Familien. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families. #SydneyStrong
8.25am GMT
More photographs of the gunman at a protest about terrorist raids in September have been unearthed by ABC’s Adam Harvey. He points out that Monis was pictured beside a banner stating that raids terrorised women and children.
Man Haron Monis at Lakemba protest in September, beside sign decrying the terrorising of women and children. pic.twitter.com/kH3qFMUn5c
Here's gunman Man Haron Monis (in white robe) at anti terror raid protest in September #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/GUOWp3IX03
7.55am GMT
The siege should not be used to justify draconian new anti-terrorism laws, argues David Marr.
Old laws allowed police to bug his phones, intercept his emails and place him under surveillance. They didn’t even need a warrant to access his metadata and track down everywhere Monis had been and everyone he was talking to year after year.
They didn’t need fresh laws threatening journalists with 10 years’ jail for revealing Asio’s newfangled “special” operations. Look at the superb cooperation the press displayed during the siege: forgoing scoop after scoop to follow the police strategy of denying Monis the oxygen of publicity ...
This man was known to be threateningly unstable, so we are entitled to ask why a firmer grip wasn’t applied to him, given the lavish powers at the disposal of counter-terrorism agencies.
The point about security people is that they are forever asking for bigger and better powers and this is granted by politicians anxious for insurance policies against nothing dreadful happening on their patch.
7.49am GMT
The Mayor Sydney, Clover Moore has defended the police’s handling of the siege and praised the bravery of the officers involved. Speaking to Sky News she said:
I think the police acted incredibly bravely ... they must have had a terrifying time too. The whole incident was managed calmly and professionally. And it was only when a shot was fired, and that’s when we think Tori Johnson might have been shot, that the police moved in ... We think our police are very brave and we have a lot of respect and appreciation for them.
7.36am GMT
So, here’s the state-of play 16 hours after the siege on the Lindt cafe ended with the deaths of Katrina Dawson, Tori Johnson, and instigator Man Haron Monis.
What we know so far:
7.06am GMT
My colleague Ben Doherty has pieced together the chain of events inside the Lindt Chocolate Cafe. He reports that Man Haron Monis used cafe staff to “get his message out” and control other hostages.
6.54am GMT
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had this to say about Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s performance.
Had a telephone conversation with PM @TonyAbbottMHR on the hostage crisis in Sydney.
Appreciated PM @TonyAbbottMHR's leadership that led to resolving of the crisis & release of the hostages, which included 2 Indians.
6.35am GMT
NSW Premier Mike Baird said he was “outraged” that Man Haron Monis was able to carry out his plan.
We’re all outraged that this guy was on the street. We are. And we need to understand why he was, and we also need to understand why he wasn’t picked up.
The community has every right to feel upset. I’m incredibly upset, I’m outraged.
But I don’t believe that he was on a terror watch list at this time.
6.14am GMT
As Tony Abbott wraps up his press conference, I’ll be handing the good ship of the Sydney siege live blog over to my colleague Calla Wahlquist.
6.08am GMT
Tony Abbott is holding a press conference with Mike Baird, the premier of NSW.
Abbott says the Sydney hostage siege has “echoed around the world,” calling it an “appalling and ugly incident” and lamenting the loss of life.
If I can be candid with you, that is the question that we were asking ourselves at the national security committee of the cabinet today
How can somebody who has had such a long, chequered history not be on the appropriate watch list? And how can someone like that be entirely at large in the community?
Even if this individual, this sick and disturbed individual, had been front and centre on our watch list, even if this individual had been monitored 24-hours a day, it’s quite likely, certainly possible, that this incident could have taken place.
Because the level of control that would be necessary to prevent people from going about their daily life would be very high indeed. That said, we’re always looking at what can be done better.
5.46am GMT
Earlier today, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman and police commissioner Ian Stewart gave a press conference about events in Sydney.
Newman said there was nothing to suggest a similar incident was being planned in Queensland.
As I said yesterday, intelligence is the key to doing the very best that we can to protect Queenslanders.
We have no information, no information whatsoever, to indicate that there is any such act being contemplated in this state.
5.37am GMT
Bill Shorten, the opposition leader, has just laid a floral tribute at Martin Place, following Tony Abbott.
Their own tributes join those of many members of the public.
5.29am GMT
Less happy news from Canberra, where a woman wearing a headscarf was harassed by a passing motorist today, according to a local Twitterer.
Earlier today, Australian Islamic representatives told Guardian Australia they were hopeful that Muslims would not be subjected to physical and verbal attacks as a result of the Sydney hostage siege.
The repercussions will be long lasting and it will be a hard climb back from this for the Islamic community. There is worry in the community, especially among women who are conspicuous in the way they dress.
But I’ve been very heartened by the reaction of the community. The broader Australian community has come out in solidarity with the online support
5.12am GMT
ACT Policing have addressed the media about the package found at Dfat today. It’s been declared not suspicious.
BREAKING: Package found at DFAT deemed non-suspicious. More info to come #DFATevac
5.09am GMT
One of the topics that is causing furrowed brows in the wake of the Sydney hostage siege is NSW’s bail regime. Man Haron Monis, the Martin Place gunman, was on bail when he entered the Lindt cafe yesterday and took 17 people hostage.
According to the NSW government, Monis wouldn’t have been able to commit the act under revised bail laws set to come into force in January.
We are asking state agencies and federal agencies to look very closely at how this offender slipped through the cracks.
How did this offender not come to the attention of state and federal agencies for more urgent action.
4.52am GMT
Back in Canberra, journalists are being corralled to the south-west corner of York Park, about 200m metres from the Dfat building.
The building was evacuated and an exclusion zone put in place after a “suspicious package” was discovered in the canteen, which is open to the public, at 1.46pm.
Exclusion zone around DFAT. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/n4xwQbr8nA
This is a standard response for a suspicious package. Police experts on the scene. Updates to follow #DFATevac
4.43am GMT
As Tony Abbott pays his respects to victims and the police, here are a couple of other tributes.
The events that have happened in my hometown - Sydney, Australia. Both shocking and tragic. Prayers for all.
We stand steadfast with our friends & neighbors in this remarkable city in the wake of these tragic events http://t.co/z9g6q1t2Rd #USwithAus
4.37am GMT
The heart of Sydney is beginning to beat with traffic again. From AAP:
Martin Place remains closed after the Lindt cafe siege ended with three dead, but surrounding streets are beginning buzz again with traffic.
Elizabeth Street has reopened in the Sydney CBD in both directions. An exclusion zone continues to operate around Martin Place.
4.32am GMT
Tony and Margie Abbott have laid flowers at Martin Place, amid understandably heavy security, according to our own Emily Wilson, who is on the scene.
Tony Abbott and Margie Abbott place flowers in Martin Place @SBSNews #SydneySeige pic.twitter.com/dbTShDjxOy
4.15am GMT
With half an eye still on the unfolding situation in Canberra, it’s worth noting that Martin Place, scene of the Lindt cafe siege, will shortly be getting a prime ministerial visit.
We understand Tony Abbott departed Canberra at around 2pm to lay a floral tribute to add to the swathe of garlands that have amassed in Martin Place in memory of the two hostages who lost their lives.
Waiting for Abbott I'm guessing #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/Ru7tkOKQkk
4.00am GMT
Our Canberra reporter Daniel Hurst is on the scene at Dfat now, where hundreds of staff are streaming out of the department. A suspicious package has been discovered in the Dfat canteen.
Evacuation outside DFAT in Canberra. Police Traffic block along State Circle. "We don't know anything," says a warden pic.twitter.com/aoe3we2knU
3.54am GMT
The Australian Federal Police bomb squad are at the scene at Dfat in Canberra, responding to a “supicious package.”
This from ACT Policing:
ACT Policing is investigating a suspicious package located in the canteen area of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in Barton this afternoon (Tuesday, December 16).
About 1.45pm, ACT Policing received the report of the suspicious package at DFAT on John McEwen Crescent.
3.50am GMT
Over in Canberra, the department of foreign affairs, or Dfat, is currently being evacuated for reasons as yet unconfirmed.
roads blocked and evacuations underway at dept of foreign affairs in canberra #auspol
Road blocked near DFAT in Canberra. View from my balcony pic.twitter.com/EAIWvBnP5p
3.34am GMT
In the same spirit of that wonderful blogging stint by Bridie Jabour, we will continue to bring you the facts as they emerge from the aftermath of the Sydney hostage siege.
There is now a veritable sea of floral tributes at Martin Place, with nearby florists emptied of their wares.
3.26am GMT
Lindt Australia chief executive Steve Loane released a statement about cafe manager Tori Johnson on the Lindt Chocolate Cafe Australia Facebook page, saying his death was “absolutely tragic”.
Tori had been with us at Lindt for just over two years and he was a great ambassador for our company and the store that he managed, which he cared about passionately.
He was a dedicated professional who always built a great rapport with his customers and was much loved by the Lindt team.
We also wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of Katrina Dawson, another tragic loss.”
3.09am GMT
I am handing the reins of the liveblog over to my very capable colleague, Oliver Milman, he will guide you through the next few hours for any further developments post-Sydney siege.
3.03am GMT
Lindt Australia chief executive Steve Loane has released a statement about the Martin Place cafe manager who died during the siege, Tori Johnson.
Loane says Johnson worked at the store for two years and cared about his job “passionately”.
He was a dedicated professional who always built a great rapport with his customers and was much loved by the Lindt team. By nature he was a perfectionist and he had a genuine passion for the hospitality industry and people.
He was a really important part of our management team in Australia and his loss is absolutely tragic. Our thoughts are with his family and we will do all that we can to provide ongoing support and help for them during this very difficult time.
2.47am GMT
Detectives raided the home of Man Haron Monis’s partner this morning in Sydney’s southwest, News Corp Australia is reporting:
A group of detectives broke down the side gate of Man Haron Monis’s girlfriend’s Belmore home before carrying out a search of the house this morning.
2.41am GMT
This is the line for the florist near Martin Place where people are queueing to buy flowers to set down near the Lindt cafe where two hostage were fatally shot during the 16 hour siege. Greens staffer Peter Stahel tweeted this shot:
Queue for florist near #MartinPlace pic.twitter.com/wDsFWqjvHV
2.29am GMT
The Guardian’s Paul Daley has surveyed Australia almost 12 hours post-siege and has given the media coverage a bit of a kick. I am sure it is something we will be surveying and thinking about for a while yet:
The frequently naïve chatter of social media and the white noise of rolling, 24-hour news coverage – of journalists who know nothing live crossing to those who know little more, in an endless barrage of speculation – brought new dimensions to inanity, irresponsibility and perhaps insensitivity.
A traumatised employee of the Lindt cafe, who narrowly escaped becoming a hostage with her work colleagues, was asked on air, “How do you feel ... knowing that could be you?” Who is genuinely served by such an interview?
2.21am GMT
A producer for the ABC also warned against Man Haron Monis five years ago. Rachael Kohn, who had been targeted by Monis, asked why the Muslim community was not doing more to condemn Monis in a piece for ABC online.
Islam, they say, is not about the violent jihad which terrorists espouse, it is about peace. Yet in Australia, the Muslim community missed an opportunity to expose, denounce and shut down the antics of a religious extremist, who for at least the past two years has been using the internet, CDs and other means justifying violent jihad.
The trouble is that Sheik Haron, as he calls himself, can seem a bit too loony to take seriously, but this is a mistake. The self-styled mufti is no shrinking violet when it comes to promoting hatred of the West and justifying violence in the name of Allah. Nor is he lacking funds to produce his elaborate propaganda.
1.51am GMT
The Shia Muslim community asked the Australian federal police to investigate the gunman Man Haron Monis in 2008 when he was claiming to be a ayatollah, according to a news report from the Australian at the time:
FEDERAL agents have been urged by the nation’s senior Shia leader, Kamal Mousselmani, to investigate an Iranian man purporting to be a prominent Islamic cleric.
Sheik Mousselmani told The Australian yesterday the mystery cleric – who has been identified as Ayatollah Manteghi Boroujerdi on his website after appearing under the name Sheik Haron – was not a genuine Shia spiritual leader.
1.39am GMT
The bodies of the three people killed during the siege at Lindt cafe in Martin Place will be examined at the Glebe mortuary by a forensic pathologist who will provide a report to the state coroner concerning the case and how the three died.
The NSW state coroner released a statement saying an inquest is mandatory under the Coroner’s Act as the deaths occurred in the course of a police operation.
The state coroner will conduct an inquest as soon as is reasonably practicable. At this early stage the state coroner is not in a position to identify the issues that be considered at the inquest.
1.25am GMT
Tori Johnson’s family have released a statement through Channel Nine and 2GB journalist Ben Fordham, thanking police and asking the media to respect their privacy.
The statement in full:
We are so proud of our beautiful boy Tori, gone from this earth but forever in our memories as the most amazing life partner, son and brother we could ever wish for.
We feel heartfelt sorrow for the family of Katrina Dawson.
12.59am GMT
Police have released more details of those wounded during the siege at the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place. So far today we have learnt:
12.39am GMT
The daughter of one of the hostages, who escaped unscathed, said; “we don’t blame Muslims or other religions”, my colleague Melissa Davey reports:
We only blame the gunman. So I don’t understand why everyone else is blaming Muslims?
And as for the people who are saying stuff about the six hostages who escaped and caused the gunshots to go off, if you were in there and he turned away or was falling asleep you would try and escape.
Our family’s are very shaken up today and we are here for the other families. We all went through this together.
...there are two families whose loved ones have not survived. Harriette has lost a valued friend and work colleague and our hearts go out to his family and also to the family of the lady who lost her life.”
12.26am GMT
More details on those injured in the siege have been released by New South Wales police:
12.19am GMT
The NSW deputy police commissioner Catherine Burn says police do not know what the gunman’s motivations were.
Question: What about these persistent reports that one of the hostages grappled with the gunman?
I have not received that information and I would definitely not speculate. We have not even had an opportunity to properly and thoroughly gain that information from the people who were in there. Every single bit of information will be gathered over the next period of time but it is difficult at the moment because we are dealing with people who are understandably traumatised about what has happened and it will take us time to piece together what has occurred.
I can confirm he was on bail. I won’t be drawn into a discussion on that but he was known to police and he was on bail. In terms of of that matter, his movements will form a part of the critical investigation because it will be important that we know and understand what was going on with him.
Those demands have been put out via social media. He was making demands in relation to some particular matters but we still haven’t confirmed the exact motivation behind what he was saying. He has clearly made some statements. He was well-known to us. This is a man who had serious history of criminal offences and a history of violence. This was a man that we do believe had some extremist views and we also believe that he was unstable. We will clearly have a look at all the things that we can find out about him so that we can determine what might have triggered anything.
12.10am GMT
The deputy police commissioner Catherine Burn says police will not be commenting on the reports surrounding the siege as it is the subject of a police investigation.
She will not comment on reports Lindt cafe manager, Tori Johnson, was trying to wrestle the gun off the gunman when he was fatally wounded. She will not say whether the hostages who fled the siege were released or escaped of their own volition and she will certainly not be saying if the wounded were shot by police or the gunman in the confrontation.
That investigation will take place over the next weeks and possibly months as it uncovers and goes through what happened in the last 24 hours. It is extremely important that I do not say a great deal about the events of the last 24 hours as I do not want to jeopardise that independent investigation or what may need to be determined by the coroner at a future date.
11.57pm GMT
The Australian governor-general, Peter Cosgrove, has laid flowers at Martin Place where the siege took place, the Daily Telegraph’s Alicia Wood reports.
Governor General peter cosgrove pays his respects for #sydneysiege victims pic.twitter.com/S3CSqrUPqq
Deeply moving overflow of support for siege victims & survivors from the people of Sydney. This is who we are. pic.twitter.com/PRLLoYudKP
11.55pm GMT
One block down from the Lindt Cafe, hundreds of flowers have been laid down the centre of Martin Place, as a mark of respect for the victims of a siege that ended in the early hours of this morning, my colleague Monica Tan reports:
There is a sombre and still feeling in the air, as people stand around in silence. Every few seconds someone new comes, and lays down their flowers: white lilies, pale, yellow roses, gerberas and chrysanthemums by the bunch.
11.41pm GMT
New York Police Department counter-terrorism bureau is sending officers to Sydney following the siege.
NYPD counter terrorism bureau sending officers from Singapore to Sydney to work with Oz police. Manhattan security was also increased.
11.35pm GMT
People are being told to look after their mental health and keep an eye on their children in the wake of Sydney cafe siege.
NSW police have released a lengthy statement urging people to look after themselves:
Many people will have found the events at Martin Place this week distressing or emotionally challenging. People can react in a variety of ways to these experiences.
Many people may experience sadness, sleep disturbance, fear or anxiety. It is important to understand that many competent, healthy, strong people will have similar feelings, or responses. The response may be experienced immediately or sometimes much later.
In particular, children absorb the tension, uncertainty, confusion and fear around them following traumatic events. Try to create a sense of calm. Reassure children that they are safe and that there is someone there to take care of them.
11.32pm GMT
Photos of the two hostages fatally shot during the siege at Lindt cafe have been released. Barrister, Katrina Dawson, 38, and Lindt cafe manager, Tori Johnson, were pronounced dead this morning at hospital after a 17 hour siege where they were held hostage by Man Haron Monis.
Police stormed the cafe after shots were heard in the cafe and Dawson, Johnson and Monis died in the confrontation.
11.24pm GMT
More on the second victim of the Sydney siege to be named, Tori Johnson, from my colleague Calla Wahlquist:
Lindt Chocolate Cafe manager Tori Johnson, 34, had worked at the Martin Place cafe since 2012.
11.18pm GMT
Here is prime minister Tony Abbott saying it will take time to know the motive of gunman Man Haron Monis in the Sydney cafe siege.
He had a long history of violent crime, infatuation with extremism and mental instability.
10.51pm GMT
One of the victims of the siege, Katrina Dawson, has been remembered as one of Sydney’s best and brightest barristers by the New South Wales bar association.
The president, Jane Needham SC, has released a statement informing the association of her death with a “heavy heart and deep sorrow”.
Katrina was one of our best and brightest barristers who will be greatly missed by her colleagues and friends at the NSW Bar. She was a devoted mother of three children, and a valued member of her floor and of our bar community. Our thoughts are with her family at this time, including her brother, Sandy Dawson of Banco Chambers.
10.48pm GMT
The office of Ayatollah Mohammad Hussein al-Ansari, Australia’s most senior Shia cleric, has released a statement:
We pray deeply and wholeheartedly for the innocent civilian hostages in Sydney for their immediate and safe release. We, similarly, ask all people to join us in this prayer.
This crisis reminds us that we all, from all faiths and backgrounds, should unite as Australians to oppose such radicalism and build a peaceful and harmonious society.
10.38pm GMT
The man shot in the Sydney siege was Lindt Cafe manager, Tori Johnson, ABC is reporting.
He was 34 years old.
10.29pm GMT
Flags at commonwealth government buildings will also be flown at half mast, along with flags at New South Wales government buildings, prime minister Tony Abbott has announced.
I have instructed that the Australian National Flag be flown at half-mast today at all Commonwealth Government buildings as a mark of respect and mourning for the innocent victims involved in the Martin Place siege.
Parliament House flag has been lowered to half mast #MartinPlace pic.twitter.com/0QPC0AAsmK
10.22pm GMT
More one of the fatally shot hostages, who has been named as Katrina Dawson.
She was a barrister who practised in Eight Selborne chambers not far from the Lindt cafe.
10.09pm GMT
Flags on all NSW government buildings will fly at half-mast today to honour those who lost their lives in the siege at the Lindt cafe in Sydney’s CBD, NSW premier Mike Baird has announced.
The premier is also inviting people who wish to lay a floral tribute to the victims to do so at Martin Place. 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.
A nation in mourning. Australian flags fly at half mast atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge, in wake of the #sydneysiege. pic.twitter.com/hvjRWoc2oz
10.01pm GMT
One of the hostages killed during the Sydney siege has been named as Katrina Dawson, 38, the Australian Associated Press has confirmed.
Dawson was a mother of three and worked in the CBD.
9.52pm GMT
People are beginning to lay flowers near Lindt cafe at Martin Place this morning. Below are some images from the area, which is still cordoned off from the public with an exclusion zone in place around the cafe.
Mother and her young daughter Mona from Belgium laid flowers at Martin Place. "It's important for her to know." pic.twitter.com/qCGc6jIlgc
Beautiful tributes for #sydneysiege victims begin to flow in. More on the hostages here: http://t.co/sIiJkrg0mF pic.twitter.com/AgJAl3got8
9.39pm GMT
The Sydney Morning Herald’s political and international editor, Peter Hartcher, has criticised the political and media reaction to the siege as it unfolded yesterday:
The prime minister led in shaping our responses. He called a press conference but had no information to offer on the incident except that he had held a meeting to discuss it. He took only one question, to explain that he had no details but that the NSW police did.
“We don’t yet know the motivation of the perpetrator,” he said, then freely speculated that he was politically motivated. It was “very disturbing”.
Queensland’s Premier Campbell Newman ordered “all available police out there” to “protect Queenslanders”.
The reaction of most media for most of the day was to cheerlead the hype and to provide a ready platform to any politician who wanted to insert himself into the event.
9.37pm GMT
Prime minister, Tony Abbott, is addressing the media. He says we know that Man Haron Monis, the gunman in the siege had faced court on numerous charges and had posted extremist imagery online.
As the siege unfolded yesterday, he sought to cloak his actions with the symbolism of the Isil death cult. Tragically, there are people in our community ready to engage in politically motivated violence. The events in Martin Place also show that we are ready to deal with these people professionally and with the full force of law. I want to thank the NSW police and all the other agencies involved for their professionalism and courage.
Australians should be reassured by the way our law enforcement and security agencies responded to this brush with terrorism. There is nothing more Australian than dropping in at the local cafe for a morning coffee and it’s tragic beyond words that people going about their everyday business should have been caught up in such a horrific incident. Our hearts go out to all of those caught up in this appalling incident and their loved ones.
9.22pm GMT
The Chairman and Group CEO of Lindt and Sprüngli, Ernst Tanner, has released a statement he was “shocked and deeply saddened” by the siege at Lindt Cafe in Martin Place.
I cannot believe that such an act of violence happened. I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the victims and their families. In these difficult times we all need to stand together in order to defend the values of freedom, peace and tolerance.”
As the hostage-taking in our Café in Sydney came to an end, Lindt & Sprüngli is profoundly saddened and deeply affected about the death of innocent people. We are devastated by the loss of their lives and that several others were wounded and had to experience such trauma. Our thoughts and feelings are with the victims and their families who have been through an incredible ordeal, and we want to pay tribute to their courage and bravery.
“I’m shocked and deeply saddened by the terrible incident that has taken place in Sydney”, says Ernst Tanner, Chairman and Group CEO Lindt & Sprüngli. “I cannot believe that such an act of violence happened. I would like to express my deepest sympathy to the victims and their families. In these difficult times we all need to stand together in order to defend the values of freedom, peace and tolerance.”
9.12pm GMT
Guardian Middle East correspondent, Martin Chulov, has written some analysis of the siege. It is the sum of all Australian fears over terrorism, he says:
There is another small and ill-defined number of citizens in the mix [of threats to Australia] – those who have developed grievances over the past decade and are willing to hitch themselves to a terror group’s cause to settle personal scores. The Martin Place gunman, Man Haron Monis, appears to fit this category. The self-proclaimed cleric was on bail facing dozens of charges of indecent and sexual assault, all of which he denied, and has also been accused of being an accessory to the killing of his ex-wife – run-ins with the justice system that he resented.
To many Australians, regardless of the suspect’s motivations, the siege was the sum of all fears – an event that has moved from being considered fanciful in the post-9/11 days to almost inevitable just over a decade later. More Australians per capita than almost any other nationality have travelled to join Isis and Jabhat al-Nusra, a statistic that disturbs the government and preoccupies the intelligence community.
8.52pm GMT
Traffic update for the Sydney CBD from NSW police:
Police will continue to maintain a perimeter around a cafe at the corner of Martin Place and Philip streets this morning.
8.41pm GMT
Rupert Murdoch, media magnate and executive chairman of News Corp, is holidaying in his native Australia for Christmas so has been in the country for the siege.
AUST gets wake-call with Sydney terror. Only Daily Telegraph caught the bloody outcome at 2.00 am. Congrats.
AUST, UK and US likely to catch most plots. Lone Wolves are the frightening danger.
8.33pm GMT
Opposition leader, Bill Shorten, says he continues to offer his support to the prime minister and the government in a statement released this morning.
The loss of two innocent people in this horrific event overnight breaks our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families.
We also keep in our thoughts the wounded and other hostages, and their families. Their ordeal is not over.
8.22pm GMT
Guardian’s profile of the gunman in the siege, Man Haron Monis, has been updated with more information here.
Michael Safi reports:
8.14pm GMT
Here is video of the NSW police commissioner, Andrew Scipione, addressing media confirming the death of three people, including the gunman, in the siege.
8.02pm GMT
Police have confirmed three people died as the siege at Lindt Cafe in Sydney came to an end nearing its 17th hour just after 2am AEDT on Tuesday. Here is what we know so far:
We need to actually find out what’s happened here and what’s happened inside that cafe. It’s not time to speculate or to develop theories. We are going to work through facts and we will advise you as soon as we can.
7.45pm GMT
Here is a small round up of the Australian newspapers and their front pages this morning.
Australian newspapers and their front page headlines this morning #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/752ZSiEPos
7.24pm GMT
The gunman has been confirmed as Man Haron Monis. Channel 9 journalist Lizzie Pearl says he is known to court reporters and has tweeted her encounters with him.
Saw Man Monis earlier this yr at Parramatta court - outside he was wearing chains + holding placard claiming he'd been tortured in custody.
In Jan Man Monis asked Parramatta Court Magistrate to force ASIO to release documents - chained himself up outside claiming a conspiracy.
Man Monis has been well known to Sydney journos for years. Called himself Sheikh Haron. Staged numerous protests outside Sydney courts.
When I last saw Man Monis in court this yr he was representing himself on accessory to murder charges, ranting to the magistrate about ASIO.
7.14pm GMT
The prime minister, Tony Abbott, says the national security committee of cabinet will meet shortly to review the situation. He has released the following statement:
Australians awoke to the news this morning that the siege in Martin Place has ended.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the two deceased hostages, the wounded and the other hostages.
7.13pm GMT
Here are some images from when the siege ended after 2am Tuesday after a gunman took hostages for about 16 hours. Police stormed the Lindt cafe after shots were fired inside and three people, including the gunman, died in the confrontation.
Police have put the hostage count at 17.
7.04pm GMT
The gunman killed in the Sydney cafe siege has been named by police as Man Haron Monis, 50, a self-styled Muslim cleric and peace activist who had been on bail facing dozens of charges of indecent and sexual assault, my colleague Michael Safi reports here.
He had denied the charges and claimed they are part of a witch-hunt against him.
6.55pm GMT
NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione says police made the decision to enter the Lindt cafe because shots were fired inside.
He is asked if hostages were killed by gunfire from the hostage taker, or from police:
Again, as a result of an exchange of gunfire inside those premises, police moved in. At this stage as I’ve indicated we have a number of people that are injured and certainly we’re working through that as part of the critical incident.
Well, I’m concerned that there was a vicious, horrendous attack that has taken place in the heart of our city, and there are many questions that will come in the coming hours, days and weeks. What I can assure you is I will answer every single one of them. We will get to the bottom of events and we will do everything possible to ensure we do not see happen again in this city what we saw in the last 24 hours.
6.50pm GMT
New South Wales police commissioner Andrew Scipione says we are now dealing with a critical incident and a thorough investigation has started.
We need to actually find out what’s happened here and what’s happened inside that cafe. It’s not time to speculate or to develop theories. We are going to work through facts and we will advise you as soon as we can.
I, too, would like to commend the work of our police. While everyone might now second guess as to what has actually occurred in the last hours, well, they are the ones who had the make the decision. Our police had to deal with this incident. It was tough, exacting work. Many hours, whether they were ... part of a team that had to make that entry and deal with this situation. I want to point out they have saved lives, they have saved many lives, and to those men and women, all that were involved, we thank you. As your commissioner I thank you, but as a community, I’m sure Australia thanks you.
6.46pm GMT
New South Wales police commissioner, Andrew Scipione, and NSW premier, Mike Baird, are addressing the media.
This morning I come before you with the heaviest of hearts, unbelievably overnight we have lost some of our own in an attack we never thought we would see here in our city. In the past 24 hours this city has been shaken.
The values we held dear yesterday, we hold dear today. The values of freedom, democracy and harmony.
We will get through this. We will get through this.
6.38pm GMT
Police have confirmed three people are dead. Police said the 50-year-old man who took the hostages died at hospital after a confrontation between himself and police this morning where shots were fired.
A 34-year-old man and a 38-year-old woman, who were among the hostages, were shot and pronounced dead at hospital. Two women were taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
6.30pm GMT
Guardian reporter, Helen Davidson, has filed this eyewitness account of when the siege ended just after 2am (AEDT) this morning.
6.26pm GMT
The exclusion zone police put in place before the end of the siege will continue to operate this morning with people who usually work in the CBD near Martin Place asked to work from home if they can. The exclusion zone is bordered by Elizabeth Street, Hunter Street, Macquarie Street and St James Road.
NSW Government say exclusion zone will continue to operate around #MartinPl #SydneySiege #9News pic.twitter.com/hNVxbX0M5X
6.17pm GMT
Trauma specialists are on stand-by at St Vincent’s hospital in Sydney for those injured in the siege. Sydney Morning Herald video journalist, Amanda Hoh, is at the hospital and reports police are guarding an ambulance and have put up a white sheet to protect whoever is injured in the ambulance.
Police guarding an ambulance and a white sheet has been raised outside RPA #sydneysiege pic.twitter.com/ztH6RND9lI
6.10pm GMT
Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione and New South Wales premier Mike Baird will now address media at 6am AEDT. There are varying reports on the number of casualties and we are working to confirm a number but may not know until the police press conference.
Guardian photographer at large Mike Bowers took the below photos as the siege ended.
5.49pm GMT
My colleague Fred McConnell is at Martin Place, close to the family centre where relatives of those held hostage have been gathered.
Activity building around the family center. Press conference nearby at 5am. #MartinPlaceSiege pic.twitter.com/QyoewUuGFR
5.48pm GMT
5.41pm GMT
Welcome to our ongoing coverage of the aftermath of the siege at a cafe in Sydney. Here is what we know, after the Sydney siege ended with a group of hostages escaping and police storming the Lindt cafe in Martin Place:
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