Australia Day parade could be affected in wake of Bourke St tragedy

AN AUSTRALIA DAY parade planned for Melbourne’s CBD this week could be affected in the wake of the Bourke St tragedy.

• Love flows for CBD massacre victims
• Accused’s behaviour became more erratic
• Get tough on bail laws, say police
• Witnesses try to make sense of horror

• Patrick Carlyon: Melbourne’s struggle to shake off touch of evil

• Andrew Rule: Families have right to know truth

AN Australia Day parade planned for the CBD this week could be affected in the wake of the Bourke St tragedy.

And Melbourne City Council will discuss with police if structural changes are needed to improve safety in the inner city.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle said the council would consult police about the official Australia Day Parade due to be held on Swanston St from 11am on Thursday.

“If they suggest any changes to the format or the way we conduct that then we will certainly do that,” he told the Herald Sun.

EDITORIAL: THEY SHOULD BE ALIVE

An Australia Day parade planned for the CBD this week could be affected in the wake of the Bourke St tragedy. Picture: David Crosling

Cr Doyle, who witnessed Friday’s unfolding events from the Town Hall balcony as the alleged killer driver sped by, urged Melburnians to be strong as they returned to work today.

“All of the advice is, particularly for children, to return to normal routines is the best thing that you can do,” he said.

“If people are in the city I’d encourage a moment of reflection in Bourke St Mall for those (victims) families.”

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said there would be extra officers on duty in Bourke St area over the next few days.

“Those police are really here to talk to you, talk to the community and just provide the reassurance of that police work that’s been done around the city at the current time,” he said.

A vigil for the victims will start today at 5.30pm at Federation Square, while the State Government has set up a Bourke St Fund with an initial $100,000 donation to help the families of those killed.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton and Premier Daniel Andrews hold a press conference. Picture: David Crosling

SEE HOW TO DONATE BELOW

Late yesterday, ANZ CEO Shayne Elliott announced that the bank would donate $50,000 to the fund.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday joined Premier Daniel Andrews and Cr Doyle in a show of solidarity at a key memorial site in the mall outside the GPO.

“The loss of fellow Australians in such a shocking wanton criminal act is a tragedy and we grieve, we mourn with you, we stand with you,” Mr Turnbull said.

Pledging that the Federal Government would donate to the victims’ fund and that he and wife Lucy would make a personal donation, Mr Turnbull praised the response of police, paramedics and bystanders during the horrific incident.

“This shows a love and a selflessness and a solidarity that says so much about the spirit of this city, that says so much about the spirit of Australians,” he said.

A flower memorial in Bourke St yesterday. Picture: David Crosling

A police officer lays flowers at a public memorial site for the BourkeSt tragedy on Sunday. Picture: David Crosling

An emotional Mr Andrews was deeply touched by the death of the fifth victim, a baby boy.

“As a parent it’s a very sad day today. There can be nothing more innocent than a little three month old baby,” he said.

Cr Doyle said he had spoken to Mr Turnbull about any changes that may need to be made to the city’s “built environment” to prevent future similar incidents.

“Our chief police commissioner (Graham Ashton) is very experienced and expert in these matters so I’ll be certainly taking his advice,” he said.

The Lord Mayor said the incident had been the biggest shock of his time in the job and the effect was summed up by a card at the memorial site which read: “This city is our home. We all live here. What happens here happens to us all.”

Fund started for victims ahead of vigil

The Bourke St fund has been set up, with Premier Daniel Andrews stressing 100 per cent of the fund would go towards helping victims.

The government has already donated $100,000 to the victims’ fund.

Victorians wishing to donate to the fund can do so by donating to:

Westpac Banking Corporation

Name of account: Bourke Street Fund

BSB: 033 009

Account Number: 668251

People can also phone [phone] for advice on how to donate.

More details here: vic.gov.au/bourkestreet

ACCUSED CBD DRIVER’S MUM: ‘I’M ASHAMED OF HIM’

BROKEN BAIL SYSTEM CONTRIBUTED TO CBD TRAGEDY

MELBOURNE’S LONG DAY OF HORROR

ACCUSED DRIVER’S CHILLING FACEBOOK WARNING

IN PICTURES: CITY TURNS TO CHAOS