The snipers didn't shoot because the police weren't sure he was alone or booby traps weren't set. This was not the fault of police but of Islam. At least now in multicultural Australia our food is better.

Dane: the police weren't sure he was alone or booby traps weren't set.

The police were well aware that Monis was acting alone & had a weapon. They were told that by the guy that bumped into him going into the Café.

O'Riley: It is also clear from TV footage that the sniper had many clear opportunities.

Yes it was & I noted that at the time. The Glass in the Café was Bank Grade though so that would have been a problem. A blunted .50 Cal. would have solved that problem though. That's one reason that the Army TAC Squad should be the ones left to deal with these guys. & Keep the bloody Lawyers away.

O'Riley: His (Senator David Leyonhjelm) advocacy for much liberalised gun laws was much criticised in the media and by politicians.

That would allow all the bad guys to carry weapons. That would be a dam side more than good people. Wrong call.

O'Riley: investigations is whether Monis should have been allowed into the country in the first place.

I should say so & his advocates should be charged with reckless endangerment of Australia.

We don't have to allow these people into Australia. See below, from the UNCHR C & P.

Article 1
Definition of the term “refugee”

C. This Convention shall cease to apply to any person falling under the terms of section A if:
(a) he has committed a crime against peace, a war crime, or a crime against humanity, as defined in the international instruments drawn up to make provision in respect of such crimes;

Article 33
Prohibition of expulsion or return (“refoulement”)

2. The benefit of the present provision may not, however, be claimed by a refugee whom there are reasonable grounds for regarding as a danger to the security of the country in which he is, or who, having been convicted by a final judgment of a particularly serious crime, constitutes a danger to the community of that country.

A couple of points:
The police could have taken him out early in the siege. Should have? Maybe, and maybe they will next time.
If any fault is to be laid, ask first 1) why Monishad wasn't returned to Iran to face charges for alleged crimes committed there when Australia was asked to do so by Iranian authorities, and 2) why he was out on bail for alleged violent offences committed here.

While I can agree with most of your piece Brendan, I can't let you get away with this bit, "Leyonhjelm's critics have failed to recognise that he was probably correct in the first part of his argument (that lives could well have been saved had the civilians involved in the Martin Place hostage situation been carrying firearms). The main flaw in Leyonhjelm's logic is that he fails to recognise that very liberal gun laws will (in addition to enabling "good guys" to defend themselves with firearms) inevitably lead to more guns falling into the hands of "bad guys" so that public safety is more likely to suffer than improve."

This is utter garbage Brendan. Criminals have access to all the guns they could ever want, & always will have. Supplying criminals guns is just a nice government sponsored exclusive industry for them, with legitimate traders excluded.

I can't agree with a word of yours Dane. The bomb thing was just a nice piece of rationalisation by the top cops, who were short of the intestinal fortitude to order, or permit the shot. They wouldn't let the army unit in, because they thought they knew better. Actually The whole fiasco was territory defence by AN incompetent cop. Top heads must roll over these mistakes. He lady is not suitable for, or up to the job.

As for food, garbage. We now eat more garbage, dressed up as food, because we can no longer afford the good wholesome food we once could. Probably the result of spending too much on multiculturalism, bludgers & slack cops, who don't get the job done.

Yes Brendan, somebody should have shot this animal before he killed or caused the death of anyone else!

As for the police, where do you get off believing it's easier for a police sniper to gun down a armed offender/hostage taker, than anyone else!

Snuffing out a life is no easy thing!
Albeit somewhat easier, when you're definitely the intended target!

I'm afraid I'm with the good Senator, and hope commonsense finally prevails before any more innocent lives are sacrificed on the alter of anti gun Ideology!

A gun is just metal and wood, and as far as I'm aware, not one gun during the entire course of human history, has climbed down from the gun rack and taken itself on a killing spree!

Its only when a gun gets into the wrong hands, and currently that seems to be any criminal who wants one!

The claims that any gun used in a crime was once owned by a legal owner or dealer, is just that; entirely unsubstantiated claims!

In Japan, said to have the toughest gun laws in the world, around 40% of households keep a firearm secreted inside the house, with many others keeping razor sharp swords!
And possibly the very reason their break and enter crime is relatively low?

Prohibition, whether it be guns, drugs, alcohol, suicide or abortion is impossible; always has been, always will be!

Better we have a prohibited persons register and lawful gun owners once again cooperating with the authorities!

Had there been a few law abiding citizens armed with concealable weapons at Port Arthur, Killer Bryant, would have been lucky to get his weapon from his bag, let alone chamber a round and commence firing!

We need to change the law, to make self defense INSIDE YOUR WALLS with lethal force a legitimate right, as is defending your castle, with a man's home or place of business being that castle!

People with no legitimate right to be there, should just stay away!
It really is that simple!
Rhrosty

Hal,

Imagine the screams of 'compassion' from Hanson-Young if he had been returned to Iran.

Obviously, on the face of it, the snipers were under orders NOT to take him out when they easily could, in order to try to bring this terrorist act to a peaceful conclusion. He thwarted that objective by killing two innocent people, one perhaps by 'accident'. His cry that "See what you made me do !" is the mark of a psychopath, a person who sees himself as forever guiltless, no matter what he does.

But nevertheless he used terror in an attempt to force his wishes on the Government, it didn't matter to him who might get hurt in the process. A standard mark of a terrorist.

Joe