By Paul Sakkal and Rachel Clun
Australians have been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious behaviour after an alleged terrorist attack against a Sydney priest prompted a call for peace from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Islamic leaders.
As the nation remains in shock over the weekend’s Bondi stabbing spree, Albanese declared there was no space for “violent extremism” in a peace-loving, multicultural nation after a Christian leader and a number of his followers were stabbed at a church in Sydney’s west on Monday night.
The incident triggered a massive gathering outside the church as hundreds of angry people clashed with police. Several police officers were injured in the riot that erupted and paramedics were also forced to take shelter for several hours.
The prime minister chaired a meeting of the national security committee of cabinet on Tuesday before holding a press conference with federal police chief Reece Kershaw and ASIO boss Mike Burgess in Canberra.
Albanese confirmed the incident inside the church on Monday night was being treated as religiously motivated, a development which gives NSW police extraordinary powers to search people and vehicles and demand the disclosure of people’s identities to avoid any further violence.
“There is no place for violence in our community. There’s no place for violent extremism. We’re a peace-loving nation. This is a time to unite, not divide, as a community, and as a country,” Albanese said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese with head of ASIO Mike Burgess and AFP commissioner Reece Kershaw.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
Albanese and authorities said it was too early to reveal details about the 16-year-old who allegedly stabbed Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, a well-known conservative preacher in the Assyrian Orthodox church, and injured another three people.
Law enforcement agencies have not yet revealed the teenager’s religious background, name, or previous interactions with authorities. He was not on a terrorism watch list and police believe he was acting alone.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, speaking in Sydney, said there was evident “premeditation” and an attempt to intimidate members of the church, especially by committing it during a livestreamed service.
Webb also pointed to comments “around religion” made by the accused before allegedly stabbing the preacher whose criticisms of Islam, COVID-19 public health measures, and gender fluidity have gained him a large following online and overseas.
“We believe there are elements that are satisfied in terms of religious motivated extremism,” Webb said.
Albanese did not mention the Christian community until asked a question about the bishop’s Assyrian church. The prime minister said he knew the group and added they were big contributors to Sydney community life.
“Chris Bowen as the local federal member who represents much of the Assyrian community in Sydney is with his community this morning. And we will come through this,” Albanese said.
Burgess said Australia’s terror threat level of “possible” – which was downgraded in 2022 as Islamic State diminished in global significance – still meant extremism was a present danger.
“In terms of the events in the Middle East, of course they do resonate here in Australia, but we have not seen that to date actually cause individuals to go to acts of terror. Of course, in this case, we’re keeping an open mind and we’ll let that be a subject to the investigation,” Burgess said.
Federal police boss Kershaw said: “All Australians should remain vigilant and I urge people who see or hear something that they feel is not right to contact the national security hotline immediately on 1800 123 400.”
In a statement, the Australian National Imam Council sought to ease tensions and expressed sympathy with the injured priest.
“These attacks are horrifying and have no place in Australia, particularly at places of worship and toward religious leaders,” it stated. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Bishop Emmanuel and the victims and we pray for their speedy recovery. We urge the community to stay calm and work together towards the safety and the security of all Australians.”
Kershaw and Albanese both emphasised their disappointment with people involved in the riot that erupted outside the church after the attack, injuring several police officers.
Albanese said the atmosphere outside the church was not helped by the use of social media by bad-faith actors, revealing he had spoken with Communications Minister Michelle Rowland about the “publication of videos that can be very harmful”.
“I just say to people think before you press send,” Albanese said. “I’ve said before, that often on social media people will say things they would never say to your face.”
Albanese said Australia was “overwhelmingly a harmonious society”.
“In my local community people of different faiths live side by side. And that is overwhelmingly the experience of Australians,” he said.
Premier Chris Minns warned against tit-for-tat violence perpetrated by those who felt angered by Monday’s church attack. As speculation swirled on social media regarding the alleged attacker’s motivation, Minns implored the community to stay united.
“There is no such thing in Australia as taking the law into your own hands. It doesn’t exist,” he said. “You will be met by the full force of the law if there’s any attempt of tit-for-tat violence in Sydney over the coming days.”
Federal MP Dai Le, whose federal electorate of Fowler includes Wakeley, said the church is one of seven Assyrian churches that are much loved in the community.
“[They have] participated in activities in terms of handing out food and presents to the community and over the years,” she said.
Asked whether the bishop’s sometimes controversial public stances on social issues could have played a role in the attack, Le said people should not jump to conclusions.
“I would caution people [not] to jump to … any kind of interpretation conclusion about what the motivation behind it [is] before the police run their work,” she said.
Scenes in Wakeley on Monday night following the church stabbing.
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