It was six minutes of mayhem. A rampage that has cast a giant, lingering shadow over Melbourne.
Victorian parliament returned on Tuesday, paying respects to the six killed and 37 injured by a car that tore through the Bourke Street mall on January 20.
The accused driver, Dimitrious Gargasoulas, 27, has been charged with five counts of murder and is expected to be charged with a sixth.
"A giant shadow was cast over our city and still hasn't really gone away", Premier Daniel Andrews told parliament.
Mr Andrews said there was nothing he could say that would make things better for the families affected - "it's only action that truly counts".
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"Whatever circumstances put that man behind the wheel of that car, at that time, at that place, we will do everything we can do so that doesn't ever happen again," he said.
"Changes must be made."
The government has promised reforms over revelations Gargasoulas was out on bail at the time of his accused attack.
However, it says it will wait until a review by former Director of Public Prosecutions Paul Coghlan is completed in April before introducing legislation.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle also paid his respects on the floor of the Legislative Assembly, recounting how a press conference interrupted by a helicopter turned into scenes of chaos that day.
He said he was surprised, when watching the CCTV from the day, by how quickly the events unfolded.
"Six minutes, six minutes to cause the mayhem that was caused," he said.
Members of the opposition paid their respects, but also called for government business to continue instead of being adjourned until Wednesday.
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy paid tribute to the emergency services and first responders who gave "hope" for humankind.
On the first day of federal parliament in Canberra, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Labor leader Bill Shorten also sent condolences to victims and their families.
"Our prayers for a speedy recovery to those who were injured and our thoughts, sympathies to all of those who witnessed this horrifying criminal act," Mr Turnbull said.
"It was an ordinary day, shattered by terrible violence."
