Hostages fled towards armed police as the Sydney siege came to a dramatic end. Photo / AP
Hostages fled towards armed police as the Sydney siege came to a dramatic end. Photo / AP
Australia's political leaders have come together to declare the nation will never succumb to terrorism.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten honoured the victims of the Lindt Cafe siege in Sydney's Martin Place on the first morning of parliament's new year.
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The family and friends of Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson, who were killed in the siege, sat solemnly through the condolence motion speeches.
They were joined by survivors of the 16-hour hostage drama, about 60 in all.
The motion honours the courage of the hostages and emergency services while recording "deep repugnance" towards terrorism and determination to protect Australia's democracy.
Mr Abbott declared a "moment of profound unity" and told his audience that the thoughts of 20 million Australians were with them on that terrible day and still with them as they try to come to terms with the horrific ordeal.
The best response to terrorism was to live normal lives, he said.
Mr Abbott promised to learn from the siege, with a review of all aspects of it due at the end of the month.
"I pledge I will do everything I humanly can to keep Australia safe," he said.
Australia was helping to degrade the Islamic State "death cult" that's declared war on the world and if more legislation was needed, he would bring it in.
Mr Shorten promised to work with the government, saying the safety of Australia was above politics.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott after moving a motion on the Martin Place siege. Photo / Getty
The siege aimed to divide Australia but it failed, he said.
Instead thousands of Australians brought flowers, not hatred, to Martin Place.
Mr Shorten said Australians must remain optimistic and compassionate.
Tanya Plibersek, whose Sydney electorate includes Martin Place, struggled as she imagined the quick goodbye kisses - the sort anyone might give - that Ms Dawson and Mr Johnson may have given their families as they left home on that fateful morning of December 15.
The Senate also marked the occasion, with government leader Eric Abetz saying Australians from all walks of life weren't deflected from their daily lives by "this unthinkable atrocity".
Opposition Senate leader Penny Wong said the violent attack was completely at odds with the values of the Australian community.
