Live Breaking News: Anti-lockdown protest erupts in Melbourne's CBD

Dozens have been arrested and fined after protests in Melbourne turned violent with police allegedly pushed to the ground and kicked.

Police have arrested at least 15 people and fine 16 others after mass protests in Melbourne's CBD as the state goes into a sixth lockdown.

Police said a number of incidents will be criminally investigated, including the assault of a police officer where offenders allegedly pushed a police sergeant to the ground and kicked him. A flare was also allegedly set off and protesters also damaged a police vehicle. “Four of the offenders who were arrested or fined are known to police as protest organisers. They have been dealt with previously and it is expected will be presented to court on appropriate charges, such as incitement," AC Luke Cornelius said. "Police will continue to review video footage to identify as many protesters as we can, in order to hold offenders to account, as has been the case for previous protests," he said. "Police are, together with the vast majority of Victorians who are doing the right thing, outraged that a small minority of people continue to engage in deliberate breaches of the CHO Directions, putting the lives and jobs of their fellow Victorians, as well as their police at risk.” On Thursday, six locally transmitted Covid-19 cases were confirmed, with three of those infections under investigation, sending contact tracers scrambling.