A man has been arrested after a bomb scare close to two schools in Melbourne.

Police were called to Dandenong Road in St Kilda East at about 2.45pm after reports a man with a backpack allegedly made threats.

The bomb response unit assessed the man's backpack and no suspicious devices were found.

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A nearby primary school, St Mary's Primary School, and a secondary school were placed into lockdown as a precautionary measure.

A 45-year-old man was arrested on Westbury Street and is expected to be interviewed.

Police do not believe the incident is religiously or ideologically motivated.

A spokesperson for St Mary's Primary School said "appropriate precautions were enacted at 2.40pm while Victoria Police detained a person in close proximity to the school".

"Students continued their lessons and were dismissed at the usual time of 3.30pm," the spokesperson said. 

"The alleged offender did not enter the grounds of the primary school."

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Sydney was the hottest place in Australia briefly today before parts of the city faced a sudden drenching.

The weather station at Sydney Airport hit slightly above 35 degrees just before midday, making the transport hub the hottest place in the country.

The heat was due to the Sydney basin being in a prime position to receive a wave of hot north-westerly winds from the nation's interior, Weatherzone explained.

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The rare moment was short-lived, however, as a cool change swept through Victoria and parts of NSW's western and southern regions.

The heat began to dissipate when a southerly shift started moving up the coastline, reaching Sydney's southern suburbs about 2pm and continuing to move in a northern direction. 

The shift brought 14 millimetres of rain to Sydney Olympic Park and six millimetres to the CBD. 

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Temperatures then dropped by more than 10 degrees in an hour, plummeting to 23 degrees in Sydney.

Further showers are expected across the city, including possible storms later tonight.

A strong wind warning was also issued at 4pm for parts of Sydney's harbour and the coast. 

The wet weather is expected to continue into tomorrow, with the chance of showers that are expected to clear later in the day. 

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The coalition deals only guaranteed the legislation reaching the select committee stage.

A man who threw his support behind neo-Nazis and spouted anti-Semitic remarks to an Australia Day rally crowd has been reprimanded and jailed for his offensive conduct.

Brandan Koschel attended the March for Australia protest alongside hundreds of others winding their way through Sydney's city centre.

The 34-year-old took the stage at the end of the march and endorsed neo-Nazi views before being immediately arrested by police.

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Today he was sentenced at Downing Centre Local Court to 12 months behind bars for intentionally inciting hatred.

Magistrate Sharon Freund slammed Koschel's 40-second speech, in which he twice called Jews the "greatest enemy", as clearly anti-Semitic and vilifying a vulnerable community.

The offensive, abhorrent language was then followed up by neo-Nazi symbolism, the magistrate said.

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The 34-year-old wrapped up his speech by "heiling" white Australia and Thomas Sewell, the leader of Australia's most prominent neo-Nazi group, the now-disbanded National Socialist Network.

He also called for the release of jailed neo-Nazi lieutenant Joel Davis.

"He intended to incite hatred amongst the crowd he was addressing," Freund said.

"He intended to incite hatred against the Jewish community and Jews in general."

The magistrate noted the Jewish community was particularly vulnerable after an uptick in anti-Semitic attacks that culminated in the tragic Bondi Beach massacre, in which 15 people lost their lives during a Chanukah celebration in December.

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That mass shooting took place six weeks before Koschel took the stage, the magistrate noted.

The 34-year-old bowed his head and closed his eyes as he listened to Freund's remarks from a cell at Shortland prison in the Hunter Valley.

The denunciation of these types of anti-Semitic remarks made in a public forum on such an iconic national holiday was essential, the magistrate added.

"A clear sentencing response is required to convey that the invocation or normalisation of hatred directed at the Jewish people … will not be tolerated," she said.

Koschel had also shown no remorse, contrition or insight into his offending.

He was, however, given a discount to his sentence due to his early guilty plea.

His non-parole period of nine months will expire on October 25.

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Neahemea Day then did a runner when police turned up, fleeing through neighbouring yards.

Dog owners say the Kumeū kennel never sought their permission to use the shock device.

A serial animal cruelty offender, who a court found has been abusing animals for at least a decade, has had dozens more cats and horses removed from her care.

RSPCA Victoria inspectors seized 13 horses and 24 cats from a property in Ararat, in western Victoria, during a compliance check today after the woman was found guilty of dozens of animal cruelty charges in 2023.

It is the fourth time the woman has allegedly breached the court order preventing her from owning animals, with RSPCA Victoria saying it had taken more than 400 animals from her care over the last 10 years.

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Some of the horses and cats seized today showed signs of illness and were found in poor living conditions, RSPCA Victoria said.

They were taken to an RSPCA Victoria shelter for assessment and vet care.

RSPCA Victoria chief inspector Michelle Green called the scale of animal cruelty "astounding".

"This person has been banned from owning or being in charge of more than five cats and five horses, and yet they not only continue to keep them and acquire additional animals but also mistreat and neglect them," Green said.

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"As an organisation enforcing animal cruelty laws, we have done everything we can stop the offending and animal cruelty by this person, but they ignore expert animal care advice, legislation, and multiple court orders."

The organisation is pleading for stronger penalties for animal cruelty.

"It's simple: animal cruelty is a crime in Victoria, but we need stronger laws and tougher penalties for offenders," RSPCA Victoria chief executive Dr Liz Walker said.

"Despite being found guilty of animal cruelty offences and repeatedly breaching court orders, this person continues to offend; enough is enough."

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The RSPCA said that in July 2023, the then-66-year-old woman was found guilty of 54 charges of animal cruelty, including failure to provide the animals with proper and sufficient food and drink, confining them in a way that would likely cause pain and suffering and failing to provide veterinary care.

She was permanently banned from owning or being in charge of horses and ponies.

That term was reduced to a five-year ban on owning or being in charge of more than five horses after she appealed the decision.

The woman has also been disqualified for life from owning or being in charge of more than five cats.

She has previously been found guilty of similar charges in both Victoria and NSW, RSPCA Victoria said.

Anyone with concerns about the welfare of animals is urged to make a report to RSPCA Victoria at rspcavic.org/cruelty-report/ or by calling 03 9224 2222.

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Gerry Brownlee ruled the NZ First leader’s personalised question was unacceptable.

A crime scene has been set up as bones found at a park near the Victoria–NSW border have been confirmed to be human remains.

The bones were unearthed by workmen conducting building works on Crofton Street at Victoria Park in Echuca on February 13.

The bones have since been determined to be human.

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Police have established a crime scene at the park and enquiries are under way.

The bones will undergo forensic testing.

The circumstances surrounding the death of the person, including whether the matter is suspicious, are yet to be determined.

Echuca is located 214 km north of Melbourne on the banks of the Murray River.

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NSW's latest public holiday is set to bring a double helping of financial constraints to small businesses.

With the state's latest Anzac Day holiday set to fall on Saturday, April 25, NSW Premier Chris Minns confirmed that the following Monday will also be recognised as a public holiday, causing additional staffing costs for small businesses statewide.

The double-up will be introduced next year as well, with Anzac Day falling on a Sunday.

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The government has acknowledged that the additional holiday may result in increased financial pressures for small businesses, mainly due to the public holiday penalty rates.

The NSW Premier said that small businesses are set to face the brunt of the additional holiday, saying it is "somewhat of an additional burden for small businesses".

Laurence McLean, Director of Operations at Peninsula Australia, said the change shows the importance of businesses having a clear understanding of their entitlements and obligations.

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"For small businesses operating on tight margins, an additional public holiday immediately after a weekend, particularly where the Saturday prior is already a public holiday," McLean said.

"In this case, Anzac Day on 25 April can influence staffing decisions and operational planning.

"Reviewing rosters, confirming entitlements, and ensuring compliance with the Fair Work Act will help employers prepare effectively," she added.

The government has acknowledged that the latest public holiday has not been welcomed by all business owners, despite framing it as an opportunity for the broader community to participate in Anzac Day events. 

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