Lindt Cafe manager Tori Johnson remained calm and in "command" while, with a gun in his face, he was forced to read a note in which Man Haron Monis announced Australia was under attack from Islamic State.
The triple-0 call made by Johnson, part of which was played on Monday at the inquest into the 2014 Lindt Cafe siege, reveals Monis likely planned his attack for months and even had hopes of escape (see full transcript below).
It also reveals Monis had demanded to debate with then prime minister Tony Abbott.
Johnson was fatally shot by Monis, who was killed when police stormed the Martin Place building 17 hours after the siege began shortly before 10am on December 15, 2014.
He was forced by Monis to make the triple-0 call to police at around 9.41am.
"I'm calling from Martin Place. I have a message to read to you," Johnson begins.
Despite being frequently interrupted by the triple-0 operator during the 12-minute call, Johnson remains calm.
"There is more message that I have to read to you as well," he continues.
Operator: "Alright, well you just need to hang on a second."
Johnson: "I need to finish reading this ..."
Operator: "Yes, I understand that. Just hang on a minute."
Johnson: "I have a gun in front of me."
Operator: "Ok".
Johnson is later able to read the note in full.
The note, which was shown to the hearing, reads: "Australia is under attack by Islamic State. There are three bombs in three different locations: Martin Place, Circular Quay and George Street."
"I want to contact other brothers and ask them not to explode the other two bombs but I can't contact because they don't carry phones with them.
"They have radio with them. I can say that through radio ABC.
"The plan is to request Tony Abbott to call them or me and to have a debate while it is broadcast live on ABC national radio.
"So that is why they have radio and the best way to contact them is a voice message which will announce that they should not explode the bombs.
"They listen to anything I tell them. The device placed inside the radio is another way of exploding the bombs."
Counsel assisting, Jeremy Gormly SC, told the hearing that Johnson had demonstrated "calmness" and "command" in the situation.
The hearing was also told it was possible Monis had planned his attack for months, having acquired a mobile phone registered in another person's name on October 15, 2014. He did not use the phone until the day of the siege.
"Assuming Monis acquired the mobile using a false name; that could suggest that he had the siege in mind as far back as October, 2014," Mr Gormly said.
It was also possible he had hoped to escape, Mr Gormly said.
"The fact that Monis had a different mobile and was seemingly protective of his identity raised the possibility that he had some intent or hope of escape and evasion from police."
The inquest continues.
Full transcript of triple zero call:
Phone numbers omitted
OPERATOR: Police emergency this is Lyndal
TORI: I have a man in front of me who I'm just giving you his phone number - ***********
OPERATOR: ** was it?
TORI: Yeah
OPERATOR: where are you?
TORI: I'm calling from Martin Place
OPERATOR: Right, can you tell me what street you're on TORI:Sorry?
OPERATOR:On the corner of Phillip Street TORI:I need to read a message to you
OPERATOR: Can you just hang on a minute. So it Phillip Street. Is that in Martin Place or Sydney.
TORI:Phillip Street, Sydney yes
OPERATOR: Mmkay. So that's in Sydney, Do you know the nearest cross street to where you are?
TORI:The cross street is Martin Place and Phillip Street.
OPERATOR:The cross street is Martin Place and Phillip Street.
TORI:Martin Place is a street. yes. A pedestrian street.
OPERATOR: Ok but its not actually a road, I need a road. So a cross street, I can see bridge street add I can see Bent Street, are either of those near you?
TORI:Ok but its not actually a road, I need a road. So a cross street, I can see bridge street an dI can ee Bent Street, are either of those near you?
OPERATOR:Ok but its not actually a road, I need a road. So a cross street, I can see bridge street an dI can see Bent Street, are either of those near you?
TORI: Nah, we're above Martin Place train station.
OPERATOR: Ok, so you're further down in this part of Phillip Street, so you're above Martin Place train station
TORI: That's right. In between Elizabeth and Phillip Street.
OPERATOR: Elizabeth. So that's a cross street for me. So that helps. Elizabeth Street. So what have you got there.
TORI: I have a message to read to you.
OPERATOR: Ok..
TORI: Um.. um.. so about George Street I don't know exact location but I ask them not to explode it. 3 evactuations should be evactuated.
OPERATOR: So..
TORI: This is a message I'm reading from someone who’s standing in front of me.
OPERATER: Right. So it says, there's an object is there?
TORI: So it says.. there's bombs in three locations.
OPERATER: Ok...
TORI: Yep. He just wants me to read the exact message.
OPERATOR: Ok.
TORI: Alright. So... about George Street I don't know the exact location but I ask them not to explode it. Three locations should be evacuated - Martin Place and Channel 7. Circular Quay and George Street. Police should not come close to me or other brothers, otherwise they will explode the bomb. Some hostages have been taken.,
OPERATOR: Ok, so hang on a sec, we've got Channel 7... what was the other ones that you gave me?
TORI: Circular Quay.. and George Street.
OPERATOR: So I'm just confirming where you are now.
TORI: Yep. It's Lindt chocolate cafe. That's where I am.
OPERATOR: Ok, just stay on the line with me please.
TORI: There's more message I have to read to you as well.
OPERATOR: Alright well you just need to hang on a second... From the Lindt chocolate shop is it?
TORI: That's right..
OPERATOR: Alright just stay with me on the line please
TORI: (to someone in the cafe) We're closed... April, April. Can you please write on a piece of paper, on both doors, we're closed. Just write closed.
OPERATOR: Have you closed the shop have you?
TORI: Yes, we have. And both doors are locked. I need to finish reading this message..
OPERATOR: Yes, I understand that, just hang on a minute.
TORI: Sorry, I have a gun in front of me.
OPERATOR: Ok
TORI: So, Australia is under attack by Islamic State. There are three bombs in three different locations - Martin Place, Circular Quay and George Street. I want to contact other brothers and ask them not to explode the other two bombs but I can't contact because they don't carry phones with them. They have radio with them. I can say that, through radio ABC. The plan is to request Tony Abbott to call them, or me, and to have a debate, while it is broadcast live on ABC national radio. So that is why they have radio and the best way to contact them is by voice message to announce that they should not explode the bombs. They listen to anything I tell them. The device placed inside the radio is another way of exploding the bombs.
Recording ends
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