Melbourne lord mayor, Nick Reece, has been questioned on the brutal Carlton attack which unfolded last night, as well as the firework mishap which caused a fire on the roof of the Treasury.

Over 500,000 people gathered in the CBD to bring in the new year, and while the lord mayor was happy with how things played out, the confronting attack overshadowed the spectacle.

Press PLAY to hear more from the lord mayor about how NYE played out in the CBD

Police are hunting a group of machete-wielding males who brutally attacked two young men in Carlton last night on Lygon Street.

The 18-year-old from New South Wales and 20-year-old from Heidelberg West were taken to hospital in critical conditions.

Images: 3AW, 9News