Mr Andrews issues a rallying cry for the people of Melbourne.

Victorians can be assured that every member of Victoria Police, as they demonstrated today, are equal to the task and will do everything they can in any circumstance to keep Victorians safe.

Secondly, I'll reiterate how, in the midst of tragedy, you can find such pride in the work of by-standers to come to the aid of others. We'll not, as a city and a state, be defined by this act of evil. We'll simply refuse to do that.

We'll go about our business this weekend and every weekend. Because we are bigger and stronger than this. We will not be defined by this.