He is accused of killing Mia Ayliffe-Chung, 21, by stabbing her with a knife a number of times at the hostel in Home Hill, in the north of Queensland.
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A 29-year-old French national, who has been in Australia since March, has been taken into custody.
The suspect is set to face these charges in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Friday morning; however, he will appear by video link over safety fears.
He confirmed police were investigating whether Mr Ayad had a romantic interest in Ms Ayliffe-Chung, adding that any affection of that kind was not reciprocated.
“I don’t believe there was any romance, there’s no doubt about that. That’s certainly a line of inquiry”.
“Once again, I want to reaffirm there has been no indication whatsoever that any radicalisation or political motives existed to attack the people he did”, Rohweder said.
Ayliffe-Chung’s mother Rosie Ayliffe paid tribute to her daughter in a statement saying she was an “amazing young woman with an adventurous spirit”.
District Superintendent Ray Rohweder said witnesses left investigators in no doubt that any romantic feelings Ayad had for Miss Ayliffe-Chung were not reciprocated.
Superintendent Rohweder described Mr Jackson’s actions as “absolutely fantastic” and Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart said Mr Scholz was “courageous”.
Following reports that newly elected senator and anti-immigration advocate Pauline Hanson had said the incident “could well be the first Islamic terrorist attack in Queensland”, Byrne warned against overheated reactions.
Forensics teams have returned to the scene and specialists from Brisbane are going to Home Hill to do further testing.
Chris Porter, from Kent, has been discharged from hospital after reportedly damaging both ankles when he jumped from a second-storey window to flee the knifeman.
Police arrested Ayad by wrestling him to the ground and handcuffing him.
He also said a toxicology test result on Ayad was not yet available but police, who were examining whether mental health or drugs misuse issues were factors in the incident, said he had smoked cannabis on the night of the attacks.
Two policemen suffered bite injuries in an attempt to calm him down before managing to handcuff his hands to his legs, reporters were told.
It has been reported that the Frenchman had developed “a delusional obsession” with Mia in the days leading up to the murder while they were both staying at Shelley’s Backpackers’ hostel in the suburb of Home Hill, near Townsville.
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Grief counsellors have been provided for witnesses and he said that it was necessary to start “rebuilding community” similar to the way the area would in the aftermath of a flood or a cyclone.
