Anthony Albanese has defended Australia’s multiculturalism as cracks in social cohesion emerge after two stabbing attacks in Sydney, while his attorney general called for men to end violence against women.

Westfield at Bondi Junction in Sydney has reopened after almost a week on from 40-year-old Joel Cauchi’s stabbing spree, which killed six people, predominantly women.

There have been calls to designate the attack terrorism, if authorities find it was driven by an ideology of hate for women.

Two days after the Bondi attack, a 16-year-old boy allegedly repeatedly stabbed a bishop during a church service in front of a terrified congregation in Wakeley. He was charged with committing a terrorist act.

Authorities have gathered community leaders together in a bid to prevent retaliatory attacks against different communities, and to keep Australia’s frayed social fabric together.

The prime minister said multiculturalism had overwhelmingly been a success and the nation was enriched by the diversity.

“Multiculturalism has been a part of modern Australia, and people in cities like Melbourne and Sydney live in in peace and harmony,” he told 3AW radio on Friday.

“We need to like most things that are important in life … make sure that we nurture our multiculturalism, that we at all times show respect for each other.”

Asked if killing women could be made a terrorism offence, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the nation had a scourge of male violence.

“I think we can talk about violence against women without blurring lines into something else,” he said on ABC’s RN.

“It is time for men to step up.”

When asked if Cauchi may have been motivated by the anti-women incel (involuntary celibate) ideology, Mr Dreyfus said it wasn’t appropriate to comment with an investigation ongoing.

Dreyfus also defended the decision by police and ASIO to label the stabbing of bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel during a service at a church in Sydney’s southwest a terrorist act.

“This was a very distressing attack … there is a very clear framework here,” he said.

“The director-general of ASIO Mike Burgess has said that designation of a terrorism incident is one that’s driven by ideology, whether that be religious or political motivation.”

– AAP