AUSTRALIAN PM LEADS TRIBUTES ON FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF FATAL SYDNEY STABBING SPREE

SYDNEY, April 13 (Bernama-Xinhua) -- Australia's prime minister has led tributes to the victims of a stabbing spree at a Sydney shopping centre one year on from the tragedy, Xinhua reported.

Sunday marked one year since Joel Cauchi stabbed 16 people at the Bondi Junction shopping centre in Sydney's eastern suburbs, killing six and injuring 10.

Leaders from government and law enforcement, as well as families and friends of the victims, gathered at the shopping centre on Sunday to unveil a memorial and pay their respects.

PM Anthony Albanese said in a statement that Australians would "stop" to "remember those whose lives were stolen."

"This should not be an anniversary. They should still be here, with their families, friends and communities, with all their hopes, dreams and joys that are the very essence of life," he said.

Albanese said that it was a day that "cruelty was met with courage," paying tribute to emergency services personnel and members of the public who rushed to the aid of others.

Cauchi was fatally shot by New South Wales Police Inspector Amy Scott.

Following the incident, Albanese granted permanent Australian residency to two men from France and Pakistan who confronted Cauchi during the stabbing spree.

Scott was among the attendees at Sunday's ceremony.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said in a statement that the attack was "one of the most horrific events in Australian history".

"Our hearts are with their families who continue to endure unimaginable grief and do their best to carry on," she said.

Chris Minns, the Premier of NSW, told Nine Network television that the anniversary is a "harrowing" day for Sydney.

The state government of NSW has established a coronial inquest into the attack, which is set to begin on April 28 and run through May 30. It will explore Cauchi's background, movements, whether he had an identifiable motive and the emergency response to the attack.

--BERNAMA-XINHUA