Stories from Melbourne · Australia

A five-day hearing began in Melbourne today for four men accused of public disturbance during last year's Anzac Day dawn service. Each man faces one count of offensive behaviour in a public space. The defendants appeared before a magistrate at the Melbourne Magistrates Court this morning. Four men are facing court proceedings after being accused of booing during a Welcome to Country ceremony and disrupting Melbourne's Anzac Day dawn service last year. Australian Federal Police (AFP) searched four homes in Melbourne yesterday, seizing several devices. The men allegedly shared videos of terrorist attacks and ISIS propaganda. One man was granted bail, while the other three are due to reappear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court today.

Liberal candidate Anthony Marsh won the seat of Nepine on Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula yesterday. Marsh faced challenges from One Nation, the Greens, and Independents during the election.

Western United drew with Macarthur FC in a football match.

The Liberal Party experienced a 9% swing against its primary vote despite a recent victory. The party must flip approximately 16 seats to form government in the upcoming November election. This result does not change the current balance of power within the Victorian Parliament.

Sydney secured a 1-0 victory over Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park to reach the A-League men's soccer semifinals. Patrick Wood scored the winning goal in the 80th minute of the match. Goalkeeper Harrison Devine-Shmirs recorded his 12th clean sheet of the season.

Melbourne City defeated Melbourne Victory 1-0 in the first leg of the A-League Women's semi-finals. Matilda's midfielder Latisha McKenna scored the winning goal from a free kick just before half-time. The two teams are scheduled to meet again next Saturday in the second leg. The winner of that match will face either Brisbane or Wellington in the semi-finals. The victory advances Melbourne City to the next stage of the competition.

Polling has opened for voters on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula to elect a new member of a state parliament in the Napian by-election. The Liberal Party is attempting to retain the seat. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of former tennis player and deputy leader Sam Groth. Jess Wilson stated the party needs to listen to voters and learn lessons ahead of the statewide election in November. The results for One Nation candidate Darren Hurst were also noted in the Napian by-election. The seat is located south of Melbourne.

Southeast Australia is experiencing out-of-season fire dangers due to hot and dry weather conditions. Authorities advise caution with all outdoor activities as these conditions have the potential to start blazes.

The Bureau of Meteorology reported dozens of maximum temperature records were set across southeastern Australia for the month of May. Temperatures in Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales reached 10 to 12 degrees higher than typical seasonal averages.

Multiple licensed venues in Melbourne were targeted by firebombings overnight. The motive for the attacks is to coerce venues into selling illegal alcohol. Criminals are reportedly firebombing establishments that refuse to comply with these solicitations. A criminal syndicate known as the Ghost is allegedly responsible for a series of firebombings targeting hospitality venues in Melbourne. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen stated the behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Upper House MLC David Limbrick noted that Victoria's liquor inspectors currently lack the capability to test for methanol, a common ingredient in illegal alcohol. Police have launched Operation Eclipse to investigate a series of incidents targeting licensed premises across inner metropolitan Melbourne. The operation was established last month to address attacks on various hospitality venues.