By IANS,
New Delhi : In a bid to woo students to Australia amid reports of racial attacks down under, Premier of Australian state of Victoria John Brumby Friday said it will give progress report on the probe into attacks and proposed separate housing and transportation for Indian students.
Brumby, who is leading a nine-member delegation, met Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal here Friday morning.
“I have given an undertaking to keep public in India better informed about incidents and the police follow-up. We will provide progress reports on the investigation of the incidents,” Brumby told reporters here.
He said that the information will include summary of incidents involving Indian victims and the action or follow-up done by the Victoria Police.
There have been a string of attacks on Indian students in Melbourne, which had forced Indian government to ask Australia for better protection of its citizens.
Brumby stressed that the attacks were generally criminal in nature, pointing out that that in a big city of three million, it was difficult to guarantee full security.
“No big city in the world can say that there is no crime. It is not mostly racially motivated. We have to separate that,” he said.
Brumby said: “Steps would be taken to ensure the safety of the students. We have toughened our laws related to the racial crimes.”
Last week, Victoria’s legislature introduced a bill that will strengthen sentencing of hate crimes.
After meeting Ravi, Brumby proposed to give separate transportation and safe housing for Indian students in Australia.
“It is a proposal by the Australian government. It will be examined by the India-Australia joint working group,” Ravi told reporters.
Asked whether separate housing would create a “ghetto feeling” among the Indian students, Ravi said the proposal is not meant just for Indian students.
“It is meant for all international students studying in Australia,” Ravi said.
“The government of Victoria will not tolerate any crimes against Indian students,” Brumby said.
The Victorian government outlined a number of measures, including increasing the number of police personnel as well as improving the security scenario around train stations.
Ravi said the recent attacks on Indian students would not prevent Indians from investing in Australia.
“The people of India consider Australia as a friendly nation,” Ravi said.