Sydney siege: Security hotline had 18 calls before attack, says report

Hostages were forced by Monis to hold up an Islamic banner during the course of the siege

Australia’s security hotline received 18 calls about a self-styled cleric just days before his deadly attack on a Sydney cafe – but none suggested an imminent attack, a report says.

It says the calls last December related to offensive Facebook posts by Man Haron Monis, who later took hostages at the Lindt cafe.

Two hostages were killed along with the gunman after a stand-off with police.

“Plainly, the system has let us down,” Prime Minister Tony Abbott said.

He said he would consider changes to the legal and immigration systems in response to the siege.

“Plainly, this monster should not have been in our community.”

He said Australia would have to reconsider the line between individual freedoms and the safety of the community may have to be “redrawn”.

Mr Abbott’s comments came as he released the 90-page report conducted by officials from the federal government and the government of New South Wales.

BBC