Ideas about nations matter – especially when those ideas shape the attitudes and actions of those in positions of authority.

This the chief implication of the stunning revelations made in evidence to the inquest into the Lindt Café Siege.

According to the report in today’s Australian: “Ms Burn [Deputy NSW Police Commissioner] and Mr Scipione [NSW Police Commissioner] said they placed huge weight on community stability during the siege, fearing a backlash from — they implied but did not state — right-wing anti-Muslim groups, with the Deputy Commissioner describing this concern as’“paramount’.