Prime Minister Tony Abbott has told Australians to "go about their business as usual" as authorities respond to a siege in Sydney's Martin Place.
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In a brief address to reporters in Canberra on Monday after a meeting of Australia's national security committee, Mr Abbott said the motivations of the perpetrator were unclear but there were some indications the incident could be politically motivated.
Speaking as the siege was still under way on Monday, Mr Abbott added that the business of government would go on and Treasurer Joe Hockey and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann would be releasing the government's mid-year budget update on Monday as planned.
"We don't yet know the motivation of the perpetrator, we don't know whether this is politically motivated although obviously there are some indications that it could be," Mr Abbott said.
"We have to appreciate that even in a society such as ours, there are people who would wish to do us harm.
"That's why we have police and security organisations of the utmost professionalism that are ready and able to respond to a whole range of situations and contingencies, including this situation that we are now seeing in Sydney."
Hostages were being forced to hold an Islamic flag against the window of the Lindt Chocolat Cafe in Martin Place after at least one gunman stormed the premises on Monday morning.
"This is a very disturbing incident. I can understand the concerns and anxieties of the Australian people at a time like this, but our thoughts and prayers must above all go out to the individuals who are caught up in this," Mr Abbott said.
"I can think of almost nothing more distressing, more terrifying than to be caught up in such a situation and our hearts go out to these people."
Mr Abbott said NSW police responding to the unfolding siege were receiving strong support from Commonwealth agencies.
"The whole point of politically motivated violence is to scare people out of being themselves. Australia is a peaceful, open, and generous society," Mr Abbott said.
"Nothing should ever change that and that's why I would urge all Australians today to go about their business as usual."
Mr Abbott said the national security committee had been briefed and the government was in regular contact with NSW Premier Mike Baird, NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione and Australian Federal Police Commissioner Andrew Colvin.
An earlier press conference where the government was set to hand down its mid year economic update was postponed, but Mr Abbott said the government's mid year figures would be released on Monday as planned.
"I want to assure people that the ordinary business of government must go on and it will go on," Mr Abbott said.
He urged anyone who sees any suspicious activity to contact the national security hotline on 1800 123 400.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten spoke to Mr Abbott before he addressed the media on Monday afternoon, and offered the Labor Party's 'complete support for the government' at this 'most difficult time."
"Australians are shocked but we won't be shaken," Mr Shorten said.
"At times like this it is more critical than ever that the Australian community be solid, stick together and be united," he said.
With Latika Bourke
