New Delhi: Premier of the State of Victoria Mr John Brumby on Thursday condemned attack on four Indians in a Melbourne suburb on Saturday.
A press release from the Australian High Commission said Brumby, who will be visiting India next week, said any violence ‘is completely unacceptable ... and I'll keep repeating this message as long as I have to get the message out … I can only repeat that overall we remain one of the safest places in the world".
Brumby said he would meet key Indian officials next week during his visit to discuss the recent incidents involving Indian students.
The Victoria Police arrested four men for assault and affray after the incident on Saturday night and are continuing their investigations.
The press release stated the measures taken in Victoria to ensure safety on Indians.
It said the police are continuing to step up their enhanced law enforcement efforts. They will be introducing a new fleet of high-tech divisional vans as part of a huge boost to police vehicle numbers and resources.
Police Minister Bob Cameron said the Victorian Government had provided record funding this year to Victoria Police and the new generation divisional van was another example of how that record funding was delivering better resources to Victoria’s police force. Some of the features of the new van include:
- Increased storage space for operational equipment
- Video monitoring and recording of detainees
- Two-way communication between front cabin and rear pod
- Video camera that automatically switches between pod monitoring and reverse camera when reverse gear is engaged
- Dampeners on pod doors to prevent detainees kicking doors open and injuring members
International Students Roundtable
At the same time as stronger law enforcement measure are being implemented, the Federal Government is continuing to consult international students, including Indians, to ensure that student welfare issues are addressed in an effective manner.
The Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Education, Ms Julia Gillard, thanked the 31 international students who participated in a two-day Roundtable organised at the Parliament House in Canberra. Ms Gillard said she looks forward to their representatives accompanying her to the Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment (MCTEE) later this month.
The Roundtable assessed the challenges facing international students and their experience in Australia, including pre-arrival information and visas, the quality of education, access to services, social integration, fair treatment and the cost of education.
The students recommended a number of actions, in particular the establishment of International Student Information Centres as one-stop shops for international students to access services vital to their education and welfare while in Australia.
They also made recommendations regarding an ongoing connection between the Government and representatives of international students, including an annual roundtable. The students will continue to work with representative bodies like the National Union of Students and the Council of Australian Postgraduate Associations to establish a continuing voice for international students.
A communiqué issued at the end of the Roundtable will also be presented by three representatives to MCTEE later this month, where the issues can be considered by all levels of government.
The students at the Roundtable are currently studying at universities across all Australian state and territory and represent 19 home countries. They are studying qualifications from diplomas to doctorates and were selected from more than 1300 applicants.
|
|
|
| Slide Shows | Columns | Calendar
Share | 
Print | Rate 
