Statement from Premier Campbell Newman

My thoughts and prayers and those of all Queenslanders are with everyone caught up in the terrible events in Sydney’s CBD in the past 24 hours.

It’s hard to comprehend how such a tragedy could occur in Australia and end in the deaths of two innocent people.

We offer our sincere condolences to their family and friends.

I want to pay tribute to the New South Wales Police who handled themselves with professionalism during the siege and saved the lives of many other people who were taken hostage.

Without their expertise and courage the outcome could have been far worse.

It’s time for solidarity and tolerance, a time for the community to come together and see this incident for what it is – a criminal act by a lone individual.

I've asked that flags on government buildings fly at half-mast today, to mark this tragedy.

I know that I share the thoughts of the entire state in offering our support to all involved and saying to our friends in Sydney that Queensland is with you at this time.