Indias:We will maximise security for international students
Canberra, June 24: Facing flak for the recent spate of attacks on Indian students, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd today vowed to provide "maximum" security to foreigners pursuing education in this country.
"Any assault against any person is one assault too many. I take it (attacks) seriously and have discussed with (Indian) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on this. We will work our way through this with friends in the Indian community," Rudd said in an interaction with a visiting delegation of Indian journalists in his spacious office in Parliament.
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"We will do everything to maximise security."
"Any assault against any person or any visitor to Australia or any international student is one assault too many," he added.
Over the last few weeks there have been at least 16 such incidents - a disturbing side to Indian students' life down-under - sparking allegations of widespread racism in Australian society, and a failure by law enforcement authorities to act.
However, Rudd emphasised that Australia was a safe place and that "comparative criminal data" showed that homicide rates here were lower than other western countries.
"Let's be realistic. Obviously there has been a large reaction in India. Let's call facts for what they are. We are sensitive to the well-being of all international students. We have a responsibility to provide security. If we look at the comparative criminal data, Australia is one of the safest countries in the world," said Rudd.
On June 1, Rudd told federal Parliament that he had spoken with Manmohan Singh and assured him that Indian students - whose tuition is a healthy source of income for Australian universities - are welcome. Rudd said Australia is "very sensitive" to the well-being of any international student in the country. "All international students are our guests."
"We have a responsibility to provide maximum safety and if you look at the international comparative criminal data against assault rates and homicide rates, this (Australia) is one of the safest countries in the world," the Prime Minister said. However, he added that this did not mean that "we are perfect."
Following the attacks, he has said that a taskforce had been set up which would include senior officials from the department of foreign affairs and trade, the department of education and workplace relations, the department of immigration and citizenship and the attorney-generals' department to deal with the problem.
"I take these things (attacks) quite seriously. I have discussed it with Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh as well. We will work our way through this. I have many many friends in the Indian community," Rudd said.
"Any assault against any person is one assault too many. I take it (attacks) seriously and have discussed with (Indian) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on this. We will work our way through this with friends in the Indian community," Rudd said in an interaction with a visiting delegation of Indian journalists in his spacious office in Parliament.
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"We will do everything to maximise security."
"Any assault against any person or any visitor to Australia or any international student is one assault too many," he added.
Over the last few weeks there have been at least 16 such incidents - a disturbing side to Indian students' life down-under - sparking allegations of widespread racism in Australian society, and a failure by law enforcement authorities to act.
However, Rudd emphasised that Australia was a safe place and that "comparative criminal data" showed that homicide rates here were lower than other western countries.
"Let's be realistic. Obviously there has been a large reaction in India. Let's call facts for what they are. We are sensitive to the well-being of all international students. We have a responsibility to provide security. If we look at the comparative criminal data, Australia is one of the safest countries in the world," said Rudd.
On June 1, Rudd told federal Parliament that he had spoken with Manmohan Singh and assured him that Indian students - whose tuition is a healthy source of income for Australian universities - are welcome. Rudd said Australia is "very sensitive" to the well-being of any international student in the country. "All international students are our guests."
"We have a responsibility to provide maximum safety and if you look at the international comparative criminal data against assault rates and homicide rates, this (Australia) is one of the safest countries in the world," the Prime Minister said. However, he added that this did not mean that "we are perfect."
Following the attacks, he has said that a taskforce had been set up which would include senior officials from the department of foreign affairs and trade, the department of education and workplace relations, the department of immigration and citizenship and the attorney-generals' department to deal with the problem.
"I take these things (attacks) quite seriously. I have discussed it with Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh as well. We will work our way through this. I have many many friends in the Indian community," Rudd said.
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