Cook statue vandalised in Melbourne

Victoria Police officers and City of Port Phillip Mayor Marcus Pearl arrived to assess the damage just before 8am.

The statue has been targeted by protesters in recent years and was guarded by security last year.

In 2018 it was covered in pink paint as a protest on January 25.

Several Invasion Day protest rallies have been planned in Victoria for Wednesday, including a virtual dawn service.

Protesters will gather at Canberra's Aboriginal Tent Embassy - which marks 50 years of advocacy - before an expected march to Parliament House.