Australian envoy’s assurance to Punjab CM

In the wake of alleged racial attacks on Indians in Australia, the envoy of the country today said the safety of international students was the top priority of his government.

Australian High Commissioner in India, Peter Verghese, called on Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at the latter’s residence in Chandigarh and assured him of the safety and security of Indian students, including those from the state.

The Australian government was deeply concerned over the recent attacks on Indian students and the police forces had been sensitised to ensure safety and security of the students at all cost, Verghese said, according to a release issued by the state government.

“The safety of these international students was a first order priority for the Australian government,” the release quoted him as saying. Verghese said the Australian government would make every effort to ensure that the attacks were not repeated and the country remained a preferred destination for students from across the world. The cost of living for international students in Australia was increased from 12000 to 18000 dollars (approximately Rs 7.20 lakh) annually, he informed the Chief Minister.

Meanwhile, Australia’s opposition leader Tony Abbott said on Tuesday the streets of Melbourne were not safe for Indians and the Government should spend money on policing and preventing racial attacks to improve relationship. The remarks came in the wake of the Government’s move to arrange accommodation for a team of Indian journalists touring Down Under.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is spending A$250,000 on flights and five-star accommodation for the journalists in a bid to clear up a diplomatic row over a series of attacks on Indians, the AAP reported quoting Herald Sun. During their visit, the team of 25 reporters will tour the Melbourne Cricket Ground and see the concerts of A.R. Rahman scheduled to be held in Sydney and Melbourne.

- Asian Tribune -