Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has described the terror-related shooting of a NSW police force member by a 15-year-old boy as a "cold-blooded murder".
Mr Turnbull has urged Australians to go about their day normally despite the incident in Parramatta on Friday.
"This appears to have been an act of politically motivated violence so at this stage it appears to have been an act of terrorism. It is a shocking crime. It was a cold-blooded murder," he told reporters in Melbourne.
Mr Turnbull said Australians should know that governments and agencies are working together "seamlessly" to ensure the security of the country and its people.
They can't guarantee incidents won't occur but police and intelligence services are staying on top of these issues, he said.
The prime minister especially referred to the Muslim community, saying any efforts to blame or vilify would be utterly counterproductive.
"The Muslim community are our absolutely necessary partners in combating this type of violent extremism," he said.
Noting it was AFL grand final day, Mr Turnbull said Australia must go on.
"We have challenges, terrorism is one of them. But they must never divert us from our commitment to being free Australians, working together to ensure we achieve our common goals."
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten echoed Mr Turnbull's comments, reassuring Australians the country's security and police agencies are among the best in the world.
"At times like this, it's critical that we guard against dangerous division - we are stronger and safer when we stand together," he said in a statement.
Mr Shorten also said it was important fans are not deterred from attending this weekend's AFL and NRL grand finals.
