'Australia taking measures to curb racist attacks'

Australia is viewing the racial attacks against Indian students "seriously" and has initiated several measures like strengthening of the legal system and increasing police resources to address the problem, a top diplomat said on Monday.

"The government has increased police resources, brought legislation to give police greater powers and strengthened the legal system to impose higher penalty for hate crimes," Peter Varghese, Australian High Commissioner to India, told media-persons in Chandigarh.

"The racial attacks against Indians are a serious concern to the Australian government," he said, adding the government has set up a resource centre for assisting students. Varghese said many perpetrators of such attacks were arrested and prosecuted. "Already 70 arrests were made in connection with the attacks on Indian nationals."

The Australian government has also toughened the criteria for registeration of private education institutions and their performances are constantly being monitered, he said. The high commissioner stressed the need for better briefings to Indian students before travelling to Australia. "It's unfortunate that some prospective students are given false information by agents," he said, adding a website has been launched by the Immigration department to ensure that correct information is available to such students.

He said there is no guarantee that the student course will lead to permanent residency in Australia. On higher number of racial attacks in Victoria, the diplomat said this was due to more number of Indian students in the city.

Noting that India would emerge as a major economic power by 2030, Varghese said it is in the interest of both Australia and India that the Asian region remain stable. "Both countries are keen on maritime security and opening of sea-line communication."

Terming the ties between India and Australia as "good", he said Australia is fast emerging as a source for Indian products. "Both the countries could further develop relations on the fronts of economic, strategic and people to people contact."