Prime Minister Tony Abbott has expressed solidarity with Canada after a gunman stormed its parliament.
"Australians woke this morning to further confirmation that the threat to free countries and free institutions is very real indeed," Mr Abbott told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.
"I want to express on behalf of the Australian parliament and people our solidarity with the parliament and people of Canada on this grim day."
A gunman killed a soldier guarding an Ottawa war memorial before storming into the halls of parliament. He was shot dead.
Standing in a public area of Parliament House in Canberra, metres from the glass front doors, Mr Abbott said the building's security was recently upgraded and under constant review.
"We believe that we are in a good position to respond to any hostile acts in this building," he said.
The prime minister repeated his previous calls for people to go about their lives normally and not succumb to fear.
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