Senior MP praises bravery of Bourke St heroes whose actions likely ‘saved lives’

MP Darren Chester, in France for an Armistice Day commemoration, has praised those who intervened in the Bourke St attack, saying their brave actions likely saved many lives.

A SENIOR MP has praised the bravery of police and members of the public who rushed to tackle the Bourke St terrorist, saying their actions had likely saved lives.

Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said all Australians could take pride in the actions of those who tackled Hassan Khalif Shire Ali after he set his car on fire and went on a stabbing rampage in central Melbourne late on Friday.

Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester talks to the media at the Monash Centre in Villers Bretonneux. Picture: Ella Pellegrini

Melbourne icon Sisto Malaspina, from Bourke St institution Pellegrini’s was stabbed to death and several others injured, including Tasmanian businessman Rod Patterson, before police shot Shire Ali dead.

Mourners pay their respects to Sisto Malaspina, co-owner of Pellegrini's Espresso Bar. Picture: AAP

“It’s devastating to see incidents like this occur anywhere in the world but to have it occur in the streets you know well, that’s something all Victorians will feel even more intently,’’ Mr Chester said.

Darren Chester was in Villers Bretonneux for Armistice Day commemorations. Picture: Ella Pellegrini

“To see those Australians, to see Melburnians running into a dangerous situation, effectively contain the situation in a way, probably reduce the number of casualties and injuries, is something that should be extraordinarily commended.’’

Police heavily monitor the scene. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Two police officers defended themselves as Shire Li attacked them before one officer, a young recent graduate, shot him in the chest.

Another man, rough sleeper Michael Rogers, bravely attacked Shire Ali with a shopping trolley, while others brandished chairs and traffic cones.

Tributes flow for the victims of the attack. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Mr Chester, the member for Gippsland in Victoria, was speaking at the museum dedicated to another Australian hero — wartime general Sir John Monash — at Villers-Bretonneux in France ahead of Armistice centenary events.

“Obviously we expect — perhaps unfairly sometimes, expect — our emergency service to run towards trouble but those citizens running to their aid is something all Australians can take a great deal of pride in,’’ Mr Chester said.

High Commissioner to the UK George Brandis said the Australian government is doing everything they can to fight errorism. Picture: AAP

In London, High Commissioner to the UK and former attorney-general George Brandis said the Australian government, the state governments, the Australian Federal Police, the federal security services and state police forces were doing everything they could to fight the evil of terrorism.

“I know as the attorney-general that administered domestic national security for four and a half years just how much effort our police, our security services go to, to keep us safe,’’ he said.

“It’s devastating to see incidents like this occur anywhere in the world.” Picture: Ella Pellegrini

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd, who also attended an Armistice ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in London, did not wish to comment on the Melbourne attack.