The values we held dear yesterday we hold dear today. They are the values of freedom, democracy and harmony.
These defined us yesterday. They will define us today. They will define us tomorrow.
Our first thoughts and prayers this morning are with the innocent victims of this horrendous, vicious attack.
I want to say to their family and friends that everyone in NSW stands beside you. They stand beside you today. They stand beside you tomorrow. They will stand beside you forever.
I want to pay tribute to the men and women of the NSW Police who saved many many lives over the past 24 hours and they have risked their lives in doing so. I also want to pay tribute to all the other emergency (services) workers and authorities who have provided vital assistance during these events.
My thoughts also remain with those hostages who have been freed. They will be provided every support they need in the coming days, weeks and months.
We are a peaceful, harmonious society, which is the envy of the world.
Today whilst we grieve we must go about our usual business – we must work, we must talk to our family, we must talk to our friends.
But I say to everyone in NSW, today we must come together like never before. We are stronger together. We will get through this. We will get through this. The events that we have seen have shaken us but they do not dampen our resolve.”