Allegations of terror plots against police at Anzac Day commemorations are "evil", Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews says.
Five men were arrested in raids in Melbourne's southeast on Saturday morning during joint counter-terrorism raids.
Police say two 18-year-olds are expected be charged with planning and carrying out attacks that investigators feared were imminent.
The men are not people of faith and don't represent any culture, Mr Andrews told reporters on Saturday.
"This is not an issue of how you pray or where you were born. This is not about those issues," he said.
"This is simply evil."
Mr Andrews warned against the temptation to be suspicious of, or turn against, community members.
"We will all stick together and get through this," he said.
Victoria Police acting Chief Commissioner Tim Cartwright also warned against racism, saying some community members will feel isolated by the events.
"Our commitment is to keep all of our community safe and we are very conscious of the potential for racist events and prejudiced-motivated crimes," he said.
Violence and racism won't be tolerated, he said.
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