Sydney is reeling from two high-profile stabbing attacks – why was only one deemed a terror incident?

New South Wales police on Tuesday declared the Wakeley stabbing, where Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel and several worshippers were injured at the Assyrian Christ the Good Shepherd church, as a terror incident.

“Since security agencies [allege they] have evidence of a motive, and it relates to an ideological or religious or political objective, based on the Australian legal definition, this is terrorism,” she said.

Minns said Webb deemed it necessary to declare the incident a terrorist attack in order to “unlock” special investigatory powers – a decision supported by federal authorities.

“Our job is also to look at individuals connected with the [alleged] attacker, to assure ourselves that there is no one else in the community with similar intent,” said Asio’s director general, Mike Burgess, adding there were currently “no indications of that”.

The Islamic Council of NSW “found it bewildering” Saturday’s attack at Bondi Junction was deemed to be “exclusively motivated by the mental health issues” but the church stabbing “was designated as a terrorist act within hours.”

“Police recognise once you attach ‘terrorism’ to something, it comes with stigma and communities don’t like it … They’ve learned to not shoot from the hip, they won’t talk about Islamic extremism until [they’re] absolutely sure and necessary.”