The siege in Sydney and its tragic conclusion should not prompt Australians to become pitted against each other, Victoria's premier says.
Premier Daniel Andrews spoke to reporters in Melbourne's Bourke Street Mall, where high-visibility police patrols remain in place and will continue through the Christmas period.
"The horrible, evil crime that has occurred in Sydney is not a matter of faith, it's not a matter of what you wear, it's not a matter of where you pray," Premier Daniel Andrews said on Tuesday.
"This is, on all the available evidence, an isolated incident, an evil incident."
He said it was a "betrayal of faith" that could not be used against the Muslim community, that authorities would remain on high alert but that Victorians should go about their ordinary business.
"We're not going to give in to this. We're not going to allow this to see one Victorian pitted against another," Mr Andrews said.
"And let's not have any discussion about teams. Firstly this is not a game and secondly we are all in this together."
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