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| July 9, 2009 | | Australia observes zero tolerance on racial attacks: Delegation | | Mumbai: An Australian delegation, which is on a visit to India, has said that Australia has no tolerance for racist attacks and that overseas students should take precautions to keep themselves safe. Interacting with reporters
here on Wednesday, Paul Evans, Assistant Commissioner for Victoria Police, said
Australia has no tolerance for racial attacks and some of the offenders who have
been detained would be dealt with severely. "The Australian Government got no
tolerance for racist attacks. We have got no tolerance for racism. We had racial
discrimination legislation for a long time. I know that students are going to
be safe in Australia and safe if they take right precautions and take care. We
have caught offenders. They would be put before the courts and they would be dealt
with severely," Evans said. Arun Sharma, an Indian-origin member of the Australian
delegation, said the attacks were not racial, but attacks by some opportunistic
children with criminal minds. "These are not racial attacks. These are opportunity
attacks. There are two to three areas in Melbourne where during late night some
children with criminal mind carried out these attacks. These are not racial attacks,"
he said. A high-level delegation from Canberra, led by Colin Walters from the
Australian Department of Education, is in India. The delegation met Indian officials
in New Delhi on Monday. The delegation will also visit Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chennai,
Bangalore, Chandigarh and Kolkata. Australia has come under intense pressure in
the Indian media after a series of recent brutal attacks on students in Sydney,
Melbourne and Adelaide. More than 1,400 students and other immigrants have reportedly
been victims of racial abuse Down Under. The issue strained diplomatic relations
and led to urgent talks between Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh.
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