'Aus is in denial over attacks against Indians'

An internationally respected Australian academic has told a major conference in Switzerland that Australia is in a state of denial on the racially motivated attacks against international students, including Indians, and has failed to deal with the issue.

Melbourne University professor Simon Marginson, delivering a keynote address to the World Universities Forum in Davos, said the Australian government was trying to spin itself out of a crisis following the murder of Indian accountancy graduate Nitin Garg in a west Melbourne park.

"The Australian government is in denial," Professor Marginson told the high-powered meeting of academics.

"Racist targeting is involved (in the attacks). Indian students do have a special problem. And there isn't enough official and civil concern about international student security in Australia," he added.

Garg's unsolved murder has sparked diplomatic, government and public protests in India, further weakened one of Australia's most important education export markets and prompted a defensive response from Australia's political leaders and the local police.

Foreign students are Australia's third-largest source of export revenue at 15 billion dollars a year.

Professor Marginson, a professor of higher education and a globally recognised expert on international education, called for the establishment of a 'cross- border agency' to help safeguard international students globally.

Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna has warned that continued violence against Indian students could damage relations and called for an immediate 'corrective action' by Australia.

This followed a decision by the Indian government to issue a travel warning advising foreign students to take precautions while living in Australia.