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Urgent review ordered into background of Sydney siege gunman

An urgent review has been ordered by the Australian government to answer a number of "obvious questions" about what could have been done to prevent the deadly siege at a Sydney café.

It comes as police in Sydney revealed they fought to keep gunman Man Haron Monis, who went on to kill two hostages in a 16-hour siege, in custody - but were overruled by the courts, police chiefs have revealed.

The 50-year-old gunman, who died as police stormed the building, was implicated in a string of serious crimes but had still been granted bail.

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Urgent review into background of Sydney siege gunman

An urgent review has been ordered by the Australian government to answer a number of "obvious questions" about what could have been done to prevent the deadly siege at a Sydney café.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he and Premier of New South Wales Mike Baird have both now commissioned their respective secretaries to conduct the investigation.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has announced an urgent review Credit: ITV News

In a press conference, Mr Abbott said the review would address how gunman Man Haron Monis was granted permanent residency, how he managed to stay on welfare for so many years, why he dropped off the security forces' watchlist in 2009, and how he got hold of a legal gun licence, among other issues.

It does need to be thorough. It does need to be swift. We do need to put the lessons into practice as soon as we can.

I will not rest until I am confident that you are as safe as any government can possibly make you.

– Tony Abbott, Australia's Prime Minister

He said the report is expected to be completed by the end of January.

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