Mar Mari Emmanuel

‘For us to say that free speech is dangerous, that free speech cannot be possible in a democratic country—I’m yet to fathom this.’

‘It would be of great concern if people use the attack on me to serve their own political interests to control free speech.’

‘We target radicalisation, not religion,’ said Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of imprisonment for life.

The attack was declared a terrorist act because of the teen’s possible religious motivation, but he is yet to be charged over the incident.

‘I say to him, you’re my son. I love you. And I will always pray for you and whoever sent you to do this, I forgive them as well.’

The teenager’s family have moved out of their home following intense media interest and threats of reprisal attacks on Islamic religious centres.

‘In terms of the events in the Middle East, of course they do resonate here in Australia,’ said Mike Burgess, head of Australia’s spy agency.