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Frydenberg lays wreath in Paris

A wreath has been laid by government minister Josh Frydenberg on behalf of Australians at the scene of the worst of Friday's terror attacks in Paris.

Josh Frydenberg laying a wreath in Paris
Government minister Josh Frydenberg has laid a wreath in Paris on behalf of Australians. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Government minister Josh Frydenberg has laid a wreath near the concert hall massacre site in Paris and vowed that Australia will stand beside France in defeating terrorism.

"Australia grieves with France following the horrendous events that occurred here," he told reporters on Monday evening near where 89 people died on Friday night at the Bataclan venue.

"Terrorism has no place in civilised society and we cannot accept it as the new normal. Australia stands with France and its people at this most difficult time," the energy and resources minister said.

Mr Frydenberg joined Australia's ambassador in Paris, Stephen Brady, in laying wreaths at a makeshift memorial of flowers, candles and messages as thousands of people came to pay tribute to the 129 people who died in the attacks.

The minister said "but for the grace of God this could happen in Australia".

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"We need to do everything, both domestically and internationally, with our allies, with our friends, to try to deal with this Islamic extremism, terrorist ideology that cannot be allowed to continue."

Mr Frydenberg said the victims were innocently going about their daily lives, attending a concert or visiting a restaurant only "to be struck down in cold blood by barbaric acts".

"Paris has been subjected this year to so many atrocities and it does deserve better."

Ambassador Brady noted that a few hours earlier President Francois Hollande had told a special sitting of Congress that "terrorism would not destroy the republic, the republic would destroy terrorism".

The president said France was "at war" with the Islamic State group, which has claimed responsibility for Friday's attacks.

He announced the extension of the country's state of emergency as the French air force made heavy strikes against IS targets in Syria and multiple arrests were made in France and Belgium.

Mr Brady said 19-year-old Hobart woman Emma Parkinson continued to recover well and may be released from hospital soon after being shot in the hip as she ran to escape gunmen at the Bataclan concert.

He said she was excited to be reunited with her mother who flew into Paris early on Monday afternoon.


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