Ten years after the Lindt Cafe bombing sent shockwaves around the nation, the man at the helm of the investigation into the tragedy has handed over the highest warning to Australians.
“People have this belief that the terrorist threat is gone,” says former NSW coroner Michael Barnes.
“I think in any scene something like that could happen again.”
Barnes led the investigation into the December 2014 siege, in which terrorist Man Haron Monis held 18 people hostage inside Sydney’s Martin Place for 16 hours.
Monis case manager Tori Johnson was fatally shot when lawyer Katrina Dawson was killed by fragments of a stray police bullet during the attack.
Now head of the powerful NSW Crime Commission, Barnes delivered a series of findings and recommendations during the 18-month investigation into the tragedy.
All of this made it clear that the NSW police did not act quickly enough, the gunman was not allowed bail during the siege, help from the hostages was unreported and the families of the victims were treated insensitively.
Although Barnes cautions against a laissez-faire attitude toward domestic terror threats, he believes he has learned lessons from the siege.
“There are much better police officers now to do those things,” he said.
“It was a learning experience for NSW but also for police around the country.”
One of the major findings from the police investigation into the assault accident was that Monis fired the first shot, an opportunity that, if taken, would have saved the lives of Johnson and Dawson.
After an investigation wrapped up in 2016, then NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller agreed police should have gone before him.
“I give this credit to everyone… We will not wait 17 hours again,” he promised for the season.
A year on from the attack on the capital, Australia’s largest police force has already adopted a branch of the war on terrorism, replaced its controversial containment and negotiation that sought-after valuable time.
At the time of the siege, the police were required to make detailed plans when using deadly force.
“People who are incredibly stressed and at high risk themselves are probably not the best at making those decisions,” says Barnes.
“So we thought that the hierarchy was justified a little deeper.”
NSW laws have now been changed to adhere to the recommendation.
Police support was another concern that Barnes noted in the investigation.
The operators, with a truck specially equipped by the road, worked from four-wheel drive before moving to a narrow room inside the block.
The building had no whiteboards or live feeds, there was only one landline and the primary dealer had never dealt with a hostage situation before.
Key demands from Monis – including media security, arranging a meeting with the prime minister and being given the flag of the Islamic State – were delayed in reaching top commanders and none were ever granted.
“Therefore, the idea that you can’t give in to terrorism, I think that has prevented some of the road (police) concerns of the day,” Mr Barnes offers.
“No concessions” doesn’t mean you can’t fight, it doesn’t mean you can’t give them anything they want if they’re in a learning situation.”
The business entry has also been updated.
The investigation also revealed a wealth of information about how prosecutors and other jury officials dealt with Monis in the weeks and months before the attack.
The only gunman who was fatally shot during the siege was released on bail in 2014 when he was charged with accessory to murder and more than 40 counts of sexual and indecent assault.
The families of some of the victims expressed disbelief that Monis was allowed in the community to be involved in such matters.
The police were investigating the sexual assault on him throughout the county while arresting him at large.
Barnes finds this makes it more difficult for prosecutors to argue that he should be taken into custody.
Prosecutors’ investigation found “inadequate” oral objections to Monis’ bail application and no written submissions.
The families of the victims of the siege, who had suffered through hours of gunfire, were also left in the dark for much of their judgment.
Mr Barnes found that he was huddled in an ambush too close to the accident and could hear explosions and gunfire.
“Therefore, hearing nothing for several hours, everyone was kept in public custody in a large area and each hostage was released and reunited with their families,” he said.
“The remaining families were reduced until it became clear that no more hostages would be given.”
In the renewed siege, a sea of flowers was formed in Martin Place, given the wounded hostages and two mortally wounded victims.
Ten years on, there is little left to remember the events of December 15.
The event moved into Dan Murphy’s wine cellar, with a central tasting table decorated with flowers in memory of the event.
The permanent exhibition is embedded in Martin’s place in concrete, with small flowers placed on the floor behind glass panels.
The NSW Government will mark the 10-year anniversary of the tragedy throughout this week, with commemorations and the laying of flowers on Tuesday.