Victoria police back India's advisory for Aus

Contrary to the stand of the Australian government on the travel advisory issued by India, in the wake of unabated assaults and killing of its citizens in Australia, the Victorian police have supported it.

The Victoria Police said they supported the general statements made in the advisory that Melbourne had seen an increase in violence, that this was often "accompanied by verbal abuse, fuelled by alcohol and drugs".

The move came after a 21-year old Indian was stabbed to death here last Saturday. The backing by the Victoria police is in sharp contrast to the state and federal government's attempts to promote Australia as a safe place to travel and study.

Commenting on the Indian advisory on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said the 'factual situation' was that Australia remained a safe country with a low homicide rate by world standards.

"In big cities around the world, we do see acts of violence from time to time," she said.

"That happens in Melbourne, it happens in Mumbai, it happens in New York, it happens in London. That's a matter for the Indian government, what it puts on its travel advisories, but the situation here is we are a safe country, we're a welcoming country, we certainly seek to welcome international students," she had said.