Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull described it as a “shocking incident” in a tweet, adding that his thoughts are with victims and the emergency services. Meanwhile, opposition leader Bill Shorten took the opportunity praise first responders for “doing us proud once again.”

This isn’t the first time Australia’s second-largest city has seen an incident of this kind. In January, six people were killed when 27-year-old Dimitrious Gargasoulas struck pedestrians on nearby Bourke Street. Earlier this month, he pleaded not guilty in court to 39 charges, including six counts of murder.

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