Blind eye to racism-Any astro Points ??

[Guest guest]

Blind eye to racismArticle from: The Australian

 

THE recent spate of bashings of Indian students in Melbourne is

an appalling episode in this nation's history. It is a serious social,

educational, diplomatic and probably economic crisis that no one is

taking seriously enough. The performance of John Brumby's Victorian

Government has been pathetic. It has stumbled from bland denial to

belated symbolism, never acknowledging the gravity of the problem or

its own culpability and not taking any serious action to confront it.

The Rudd Government's response also has been belated, but there is a better sense in Canberra of the problem's dimensions.

It seems astonishing that you would have to

argue with anybody that a big outbreak of racist violence in an

Australian capital city is a first-order problem.

Last financial year nearly 1500 assaults and

robberies were committed on people of Indian origin in Victoria, up by

nearly one-third from the year before. But what has rightly gained

international attention is the many assaults on Indian students.

Brumby and his Police Commissioner Simon

Overland at first were inclined to deny the problem was racial at all.

Eventually they came to admit that some attacks were racial, but still

cling to the idiotic defence that most of the crimes are opportunistic,

as if it's impossible to be opportunistic and racist.

In making these assertions, Brumby and co must be the only people who believe them. Certainly the victims of the crimes don't.

Brumby and his Government have conveyed a

kind of insane, Sir Humphrey Appleby, genial imperturbability. You can

imagine the Sir Humphrey response: "Yes, Mr Banerjee, we do acknowledge

that you have been beaten to within an inch of your life and the

Government finds that wholly regrettable. However we can assure you

that the perpetrator, whose identity we do not know, had no racial

animosity towards you. We would further remind you that you are lucky

to live in the world's most livable city and we hope that next time you

are bashed your response will bear this more fully in mind."

A young Indian-Australian friend of mine

walked into a Melbourne garage and saw a young Indian attendant, a

student working part time, being subjected to the most vile,

scatological, racist abuse by a man of Caucasian background who was

covered in tattoos and wearing long hair. When my young friend made the

abuser aware of his presence the abuse stopped.

Too many Indian students report incidents

such as this, ranging up to full-scale assault, for anyone seriously to

deny the problem.

Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull made useful

statements deploring the attacks. But, as usual, the greatest moral

clarity came from Michael Danby, the federal Labor member for Melbourne

Ports. He wasn't obliged to play the Sir Humphrey tricks and instead

spoke straightforwardly: "These attacks are a disgrace to Australia. As

an MP from Melbourne I am angry and ashamed that these things are

happening in my city."

These bashings also have developed into a

foreign policy crisis. This is because of the blanket, at times

hysterical, coverage in the Indian media. But before we get too high

and mighty condemning the Indian media, just imagine our response if

dozens of Australian tourists had been racially selected for bashing

in, say, Fiji or Malaysia. Just think of the talkback radio and tabloid

reaction we would create.

These bashings have been reported all across

the world. Al-Jazeera rang me this week to get the phone number of the

Indian Students Federation. They have been widely reported in Britain.

And in India the Australian Government could not have got a worse

result if it had spent a billion dollars on a negative publicity

campaign.

This column has always believed that racism

is such a serious charge that it should be levelled very carefully and

that a lot that is called racism is something else. But there is no

doubt that Melbourne has witnessed serious, vicious, violent racism in

recent months.

It is infinitely more important to deal with

the problem than to try to deal with the perception. Solve the problem

and the spin will look after itself. Similarly, there is nothing more

lame than an Australian defence that points out that racism and

policing problems exist in India, too.

So what?

This is not a point-scoring game. Further, however unjustified or out

of date it is, Australia has throughout Asia a longstanding reputation

for racism. We may chafe under the unfairness of this reputation, but

if we want to deal with reality in Asia we have to understand that it

is there. Stories that fit into this stereotype run very strongly.

There is little evidence that the Victorian

Government has responded effectively. The Indians I have spoken to have

noticed no increased police presence on Melbourne trains, with the

exception of the Sydenham line. Certainly you can travel Melbourne's

trains day and night for years and never see a police officer.

The Brumby Government seems to think

announcements are a substitute for action. Remember all the fuss a year

ago about the bashings of Melbourne taxi drivers? And the decisions on

installing driver screens? Yesterday I walked along one of Melbourne's

busiest taxi ranks and counted 18 cabs, not one with a driver screen.

This should be an elementary health and safety requirement.

Wretched Australian greed is in danger of killing our $15 billion education export industry.

At every point foreign students are

mercilessly ripped off financially and given mediocre services at best.

I would be hard-pressed in good conscience to recommend an Asian

student come to an Australian university if they could afford an

American one instead.

But of course our universities, at least the

better ones, are not the heart of the problem. It is the vocational

colleges run out of a couple of rooms in a city building that are the

worst exploiters of foreign students.

Australia has done so well in attracting

400,000 students from Asia for several reasons, none of which has to do

with the quality of the education. We are cheaper than the US or

Britain, we are in a more sympathetic time zone and, until recently, we

had the reputation for being safer. Most importantly, Australian higher

education leads to a track for a permanent residency visa.

I've got no problem with that. It attracts a

lot of students and gives us citizens down the track with Australian

qualifications who can fill skills gaps and have long experience of

Australia. But the system has become ramshackle and exploitative. We do

not give value for money.

There's a lot we could do much better. How

about a home visits scheme, where ordinary Australians invite foreign

students for a weekend meal? After all, foreign students are not only

dollars and cents, they're also human beings.

 

YOUR COMMENTS:

100 Comment(s)

roll of a world without race 11:59pm June 07, 2009

the blue, green and yellow work hard and the bloody dole bludger

enjoys the welfare and bashes and steals. no values, appaling family

life, no education, so social framework... what can you expect?

wel...you have the example of melbourne. what is going to be the future

of aus? are the 'white' youth in any way or form preprared to compete

with the education and skills of the importas? well ask yourself...and

yea how man 'non-whites' do you see in police or politic? Have you got

my point? this i culture of hypocricy... it will fall on its

face...just like 'white' imperialism died all over the world...accept

the fact...the rest have risen...all the racists know it...all they can

do is be violent...but the universally the last laugh has always been

of the exploited...

 

molks of Melbourne9:14pm June 07, 2009

Great article Greg and also (mainly) impressive are the long list of

comments and suggestions that I have just read through. I particularly

like the suggestion about a public awareness campaign akin to the

"bloody idiot" drink-driving adverts. This is a great suggestion and I

have walked over to the flat a few doors down to talk to three Indian

lads who I normally just wave at and mentioned it to them - hopefully

they will get it onto the grapevine and it can be used as a productive

suggestion from those that are in the thick of it. I figure it's

something that could have an effect on the population - but this would

be long term and not a quick fix. The police officer who talked about

statistics and the ethnicity of gangs that he/she believe are involved

is a very interesting point also and there is definitely something in

this that needs to be addresssed with urgency. I'm an anglo Aussie and

I must admit to perhaps turning a bit of a blind eye to the racist

tendencies around me. It really does seem to have gradually crept up

over the last few years and my initial reaction was that this was all a

storm in a teacup. On deeper reflection I realise that we have become

complacent and have tacitly let this happen. I think the Howard years

contributed to this and the immigration issue he championed has caused

a general hardening of attitudes in society. We need to be more aware

of all our own inadequacies and subtle influences with regard to racism

and I'm frankly very grateful to the Indian students for getting us to

take a good look at ourselves. We need to wake up and listen to what

they're saying. This is not just a "media frenzy", it's a real and

serious issue. I don't know that police can be re-tasked to train

patrolling duty though - unfortunately they seem unable to cope with an

apparent general increase in violence around the city anyway. However

the general attitude needs to change and being made aware of it is a

good start.

 

Bharat of St. Louis,USA 9:58am June 06, 2009

Students paying more ticket pricees on public transportation

(compared to citizens) is unheard of in any part of the world. I

travelled in europe and Asia and currently am living in USA. USA has

zero tolerance for any hate crime.Iam not accusing of racism today,not

sure if I may feel same way tomorrow.

 

adam of kingsland8:33am June 06, 2009

Australia has had a history of criminal racism, black-birding,

shooting indigenous peoples, the lost generation etc. It isn't

surprising that this heritage has carried through to the present day.

Many Aussies in my experience are racist and I know this will upset

some people but then just because you dont see it that way, doesn't

mean it isn't there. Redfern, Cronulla, Palm Island and now Melbourne,

Australia has a problem with racism.

 

Jim of OZ 4:54am June 06, 2009

So all 21 million Aussies are racists because a gang or 10 or 20

thugs in Melbourne is going around beating up Indian Students for their

lap lops and ipods?

 

Aadarsh of India12:11am June 06, 2009

The racist appellation notwithstanding. ...i'm inclined to believe

that most Australians (white and non-white) are just regular decent

people going about their lives... but this is in response to tommy of

melbourne ....when he alludes to the possibility that any indian

student that has enrolled in a said course, miught just gain PR and

bring a wife from 'back home'..... Well sir, what exactly is wrong with

doign that!?..i fail to see any reason or logic that might suggest that

its unreasonable behaviour... .afterall, is the pursuit of one's

happiness through lawful means, so bad? As far as integration goes, I

daresay, most australians aren't really qualified to talk about

that....its not like you guys had your ancestors come off those convict

ships and just go about fraternising with the aborigines now, is

it?...they went about ghettoising, discriminating, and pillaging the

country and the delicate environment that they found....little

understanding what they were doing. thats how human nature is....you

tend to stick with your own, unless something extraordinary

happens....and thats fine, as long as you just treat the 'others' with

the dignity and respect that is their due, by the virtue of them being

decent law abiding human beings. You dont have to love and adore people

of other races...but theres no real reason to hate either, is there?

 

Muthu of India 8:28pm June 05, 2009

The Australian people have always been a generous lot. It is a land

of opportunities. Indians have no prima facie in calling Australians

racists. Hate crimes are a day to day affair in India. You cannot

relocate from one state to another in India. They come to Australia on

a student visa and later beg for permanent visa. They are like virus

that multiply and degrade the visa.

 

Doug LESTER of Gympie 5:43pm June 05, 2009

Greg, what a load of P.C. rubbish. Of course we have racist

Australians, and I have personally met racists of just about every

nationality in the world. The trick is to lower the bar as to what

constitutes a racist act.One of your readers has equated it to being

ignored in a shop, well I suffer that indignity on every second week

and I'm white as. The claim that" AUSTRALIANS ARE RACIST" based on the

activities of an unknown number of muggers in Melbourne is like my

claiming that no New South Welshmen can play rugby league based on the

efforts of the 17 players on Wednesday night. As to the perceived lack

of Police effort in apprehending the offenders, that could well be

traced to the pathetic sentences handed out by all levels of the

judiciary in Australia. Today in Brisbane an American male got 12

months in the caboose for killing his wife of 11 days. Just imagine

what he'd have got for stealing a mobile phone.Hardly worth venturing

outside the police station and risking being labelled a racist for

that, I'd think.

 

vihang of canberra4:54pm June 05, 2009

The attacks may not be resist. But it is clear that law and order in

Melbourne is deteriorating. what is bad if some one shouts for racism

but ultimately demands public safety. Police should get out of cars and

keep their eyes open in the nights. situation will automatically

improve. I am an Indian and an international student. I would say

native Australians are quite generous. however,racial attitude of some

Australians can not be ruled out. It is there and has to be removed.

 

dmadan of New Zealand 3:18pm June 05, 2009

Hi Navi, I disagree with you. I think you have not read world

history. You look like who Just wants to make comments without

knowledge. If you say "Indians come here", Hold on Every body in

Australia is migrant in one or the other generations. Now I ask who

gave you right to do recism in Australia because castism exist in

India. You are new here so as Indians.May be few generations

difference. The war of recism is started by your Cricketers when

Harbhajan and Andrew were aknowledging each others mothers in their

languages. You tried to take advantage of the situation. Please read

the world History and you will find all the ancient countries have

caste system in place. In India this is finishing and people are

comming out of it. But this does not give you any right to start racism

here in other form.

 

Gaurav Bansal of New Delhi, India 1:23pm June 05, 2009

Well I agree with Mr. Sheridan on this issue. Australia until

recently was held in great respect in terms of educational and

employment opportunities for Asian students. People had an illusion of

it being a land `free from terror¿ (unlike U.K. and United States).

People felt safer moving to Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra rather than

New York, Chicago, and London. The love for cricket, music, and Fosters

beer from Mumbai, Goa, and New Delhi were reciprocated in equal measure

by the Australian community. However, somehow this dream has turned

SOUR. People are now skeptical of even going for a leisure-trip to

Australia, forget a longer stay. The nice looking cheerful Australian

now appears tarnished with a racist appearance. But where all this

malice is coming from? Why so much of hatred? Where is the source of

all this extreme abhorrence? Why can¿t we be a little more tolerant and

live in harmony? Why can¿t the Government agencies do something

concrete about this? Why can¿t we have more awareness about the

barbarism of racism? We enjoy watching Steve Waugh in Kolkata as they

do in New South Wales. People in Sydney love Sachin Tendulkar as they

do in Mumbai. So where is the discord? Let¿s give some thought to it

folks, Please Think! God Bless All!

 

Maverick of sydney11:16am June 05, 2009

Do Indians pay their taxes...yes. ...do indians here live on

dole..no.... do indians form their gang and committ crime...no.. .then

its their right to ask for protection and cease of racism towards them..

 

Maverick of sydney10:51am June 05, 2009

well written article.Agree with it.This might or might not be

happening to other communities but atleast good on indians to stand up

and raise voice against it...

 

not-racist of sydney10:23am June 05, 2009

It is outrageous that Australia is being branded as a racist country

because of ignorant articles such as this. The attacks on Indians are

not racist. The Indians are soft targets because they don't retaliate

in gangs or groups. Their attackers know that if they bash & rob

someone from any other ethnic group they will have a group/gang of them

coming after them but if they bash & rob an Indian there won't be

any gang or group looking for them seeking retribution.

 

Yolanda in California of California 8:23am June 05, 2009

I am American, I also happen to be black. When I toured Australia in

2003 for a vacation I received quite a cold shoulder. It seems as if

there is a problem in your country which needs to be accounted for

because it's not only against Indians.

 

Abhishek of India1:26am June 05, 2009

I am from India and I was trying to reach out for reaction in

Australian media. Frankly I haven¿t read the article completely but

what really interests me is comments on it. Its really good to see not

only that common people are condemning what happened but also believe

that racism is such a evil which can divide entire nation. Being in

India and going through all what Indian media is showing my

understanding says Australia is not racist country but skin color does

matter. And everyone is conscious at least now to make effort to

resolve that. My personal take is what happened to students over there

is not racist act and due to some black sheep in the heard we should

not blame everyone. It will be unfair to call everyone in Australia as

racist. I think law enforcement has failed in this case and to dissolve

the situation perpetrator has to be caught first. They are only one who

can speak out whether this was done opportunistic or racist. Other than

that I have seen some comments which states that why Indians are

complaining when even we are suffering from caste issues in India. And

my reply to that is we acknowledge that we had and have caste issues

but from government till social active group everyone is try to bridge

that divide. We have reservations for lower caste so that they can come

up and I am pretty sure we will resolve this issue sooner or later.

Most important thing to resolve the problem is is to acknowledge it and

I can see people in Australia have started doing that which is

substantial move. Adding to current situation let me try throw some

light on some distant future. We are living in globalized world and

with every day all developed and developing economies are becoming

tightly coupled. India was 4th largest growing economy in 2008 and will

be at same position for this year. It will be 3rd largest economy by

2035 and 2nd largest by 2050. All the BRIC nation will play most

important role in shaping up future of the world economy. In future

most of developed countries nationals eventually will has to visit to

currently developing counties. Now think of it would anyone like racist

or alien behavior for foreigners. I don¿t think so. So it¿s most

important for everyone to act against discrimination of any form race,

caste, religion anything. Else we are going to suffocate in fumes of

our own hatred.

 

Chitra of India 12:44am June 05, 2009

Greg, a very well written article. I lived in Melbourne for two

years and though I did not have to face any 'racist attack', I must say

that there are small things like maybe an action or a sentence with

racist overtones that I have had to face. That said, I should also say

that my experience in Oz was great, meaning you cannot label the entire

country racist just because of a few racist elements bent on making

life hell for Indians there. I do hope though that the authorities in

Vic plan on taking some effective measures to counter these attacks.

 

jay of india 12:43am June 05, 2009

Indians are as it is so scared of goras and firangis in a foreign

land. They should show on tv sometimes what happens when a foreign

student is about to fly from his country. His mother is crying, his

father is motivating the kid, his friends are jumping with joy, and he

is the VIP out there. Someone even suggested in the very comments that

what was the need for Australia to have been multicultural? God this is

the attitude here. Is it really getting on their nerves to be a part of

globalisation or they just still cant the see black skin sitting with

them, it should only be in their feet so that they can kick it (no more

subtly) all the time.... Australia is a great country but with

difficult people around for colored people. Absorbing the Australian

Culture shock is not as easy as absorbing the american/kiwi/ canadian/

british culture shock for a fact. There is a sense of natural

superiority and look down upon approach on most Indians with a tinge of

rudeness, scolding attitude or mockery. Whether it is talking to a

shopkeeper or taking a room in a motel, Indians particularly are taken

like 'oh common, either get in or get away!', it starts like this. Its

impossible for most to take us on an equal footing. Attitude of

assistance or help is a far fetched idea. The toleration limit of these

people becomes zero the moment they see Indians. A spark of anger is

flickered at the sight of Indians and then the poor Indians are at the

receiving end. In the western world of personality, Indians look short,

dark, unkempt infront of tall,strong bright whites, so how would the

equallness arise knowwwww? Then Indians have gone to Australia,

Australians have not come to India hence we are on the receiving end.

Poor Indians laugh on any australian's joke (irrespective of how funny

it is) for 5 more minutes, they shake hands like nobody's business,

they bend down and are extremely interested in being friends with them.

I checked in a reputable motel in gold coast (the islander), there the

white bloke talked to me like I dont even talk to my servant,I was

shocked. I went to take a ticket, that young girl was like she just

didnt want to give me a ticket and purposely started talking fast. I

asked one policeman a question and it was like it was paining him to

give me a reply. He was so inanimate and sombre and then he didnt want

to hear me anymore. Why is it that they see an Asian and their jaws are

dropped in unhappiness. Why are Indians such an unhappy and sick sight

out here ? Such incidents keep on happening in Australia with Indians.

Indians have no life in Australia, they are good for menial jobs out

there. Even if you have money, you are treated like the lowest class

out there OFTEN...but the kiwis are entirely different than Aussies.

They are so polite, soft spoken and a bit friendlier than Aussies. I

remember I lost my way in Auckland and asked a gentleman. He was about

to board the taxi but he asked to taxi driver to leave and explained me

the path for 5 minutes and then waited for the next taxi. Such

incidents keep on happening here in New zealand with Indians too.

Australia and NZ are so close yet most people are so different. This

will never go from Australia only the Indians will have to go from

here. The Australian government should run an advertisement of how to

treat international students (with a bit of help and affection) and how

badly Australia needs young labor for its own good....but who would do

all this anyways???

 

sunil dahiya of melbourne 12:27am June 05, 2009

ONLY POOR AND WEAK GET ABUSED. well everyone personal views and i

would like to share my view here. i come from india and i have been

here for 5 odd years. I was attacked 4 years back on a bridge close to

flinders street station. i reported it to police station and i was not

surprised to see 4 other indian guys reporting same complain, all

attacked at same place. one of my friend rand and informed me that

thugs were still at same location. I did notify this to cops but one of

them said to me "hey mate we know what to do." But i was never scared

to go out in city but now after so much hype i am scared. AND every one

lets not be surprised about racism in australia or any other country.

It has always been and will be in society. But my feeling is racism is

only for poor people, if i was super rich or super strong, do u all

feel i would be abused at all????

 

Shekhar Prasad12:13am June 05, 2009

As Greg mentioned: foreign students are not only dollars and cents,

they're also human beings. This event has shaken the individuals and

students, who are looking australia as their future destination. We are

not blaming to certain individuals or county. we are taking about how

much a spark can be destructive. We have to take a firm decision and

putting it very clearly and loudly to the society that each individual

is free to live his life and each one of us should respect and accept

identity of individual.Not australian Government but also governments

of other nations has to take serious actions about safety of students,

migrants and tourists.

 

Not Anglo of Melbourne 11:51pm June 04, 2009

Looks like there are a few issues here: 1) Not every Indian bashing

is racially motivated as anglos get bashed too, and by ethnic gangs 2)

Widespread Racism does exist in Australia, although much of it could be

at an unconscious level e.g. the mentioning of the ethnic background of

criminals etc, or the assumption that everyone who does not look Anglo

must be a migrant, even if their family goes back generations to the

Gold Rush days I think that greater effort must be made by our leaders

to combat this racism & to nip it in the bud, as seemingly harmless

racist attitudes & behaviour have potential to become dangerous

& out of control,much like a small harmless spark in Winter

becoming a total disaster in dry Summer conditions - witness what

happened to the long simmering racism of Jews in Europe in Pre WW2

Europe.When the Great Depression happened, (i.e the Dry conditions)

people started looking for scapegoats to blame. The terrible &

unimaginable Nazi "Final Solution" being the ultimate act of racism

against the Jews. Someone earlier mentioned that solutions were not

forthcoming from the media & government. Racism is so deeply

ingrained in Australian culture that, unfortunately, there is no quick

fix solution, aside from having more police or even some kind of

"Neighbourhood Watch"scheme on our trains. In the medium to long run,

Government shld undertake Public Awareness campaigns to educate the

public on what's not acceptable behaviour, and education in our schools

on this subject. This has strong parallels to the "Bloody Idiot" &

änti-Smoking"campaigns where the deeply ingrained cultures of Drink

Driving & Smoking have finally brought about attitude change after

many years of constant public education on these issues in the Media. I

have lived in this great country for 20 years, and still think this is

one of the best counties in the world, and have met & made many

Anglo & non Anglo friends throughout the years, and wholeheartedly

believe the majority are NOT racist, and that many Anglos are disgusted

with the racism that does exist casually or otherwise in their

workplaces & elsewhere. What a Public Awareness campaign such as

the "Bloody Idiot" one does is to make it loud & clear that Racism

in ALL its forms is NOT ACCEPTABLE,nor harmless, and this will

encourage the good people of Australia to speak out against Racist

Attitudes & behaviour. I believe many people do not agree with the

racist attitude of many of their friends & neighbours but do not

speak out against it for fear of social exclusion, or feel that they

are in the minority For was it not said that EVIL FLOURISHES WHERE GOOD

PEOPLE REMAIN SILENT"?, or words to that effect? And widespead Public

Education campaigns will also have the enormous benefit of educating

impressionable children - the leaders of tomorrow - as to what is or is

not acceptable behaviour. How many times have children "told off" their

parents for not doing the right thing after watching something on TV?

Then the parents "catch" themselves & realise that, Yes, the

children were indeed correct. It's true that we learn about ourselves

through our children. Children will always catch us out if we are being

hypocrites. As an example,I remember a friend telling me how his

toddlers refused to ride in their car without putting on seatbelts

after watching the Seatbelt Public Sevice ads on TV many years ago. So,

there IS a solution to the problem of Racism in Australia. It just

remains to be seen if our elected leaders deem it important enough to

do something about it. Maybe now that our billion dollar education

sector is at risk the political will to do something will be

forthcoming.

 

Mandeep Brar of Adelaide 11:37pm June 04, 2009

Australian universities are filled with foreign students. Australia

needs everykind of foreign manpower except policemen and defense

personnel. In South Australia the govt. wishes to recruit around 4,000

policemen. And it has made requests to U.K for hiring their citizens. I

have found that police in Australia is not much democratically

recruited. I have even seen little ponies in the police uniform. The

govt. is acting like the British in India. The Britishers never hired

Indian officers only Indian soldiers. It seems that old habits die

hard. That is why the government is insensitive to the problem. What I

am saying is that racism exists here. And that is evident from the

police personnel and policing being done. If Australia wants to be a

great nation then it should try to emulate the American example. My

brother is an Australian citizen and he has been to USA and Canada

recently. He has found that racism do exist in Canada and Australia,

but it is negligible in USA. He was as comfortable there while in

India. The problem is with the countries governed by the Queen. My

personal experience is that it is easy to get along with Europeans in

Australia as compared to Aussies. The reasons are evident and every

body is aware about them. If the government cannot check racism then it

should change its immigration and education policy.Nobody wishes to

stay at a place where he is not respected or wanted.

 

taipan 10:56pm June 04, 2009

We allow as many Indian students to study in Melbourne as we can fit

in but do nothing to monitor their welfare. It is a money issue. The

Victorian taypayers are quite happy to take the money from these Indian

students, but will not pay for extra security for them - extra security

means higher taxes. Melbourne has always been a dangerous place late at

night and is now more so, especially near railway stations.

 

pandit of pune india10:55pm June 04, 2009

I agree with his views in totality. I have just come back from New

Zealand last week and I saw how nice the people were. Australia must

take a leaf out of their books. This time our government is going to

hit back quite viciously, that I guranteee. The common man here is

really itching to hit back at any Australian they can find here in

India. Australians must understand that you hurt one Indian anymore,

you will have atleast 100 Aussies suffering. The episode on Bhajji and

Symonds was just the beginning. We destroyed your cricket teams

confidence no end. We are a peace loving country, but will take no shit

from any Aussie anymore.

 

jenny of australia10:52pm June 04, 2009

Having worked in India presents different culturally perspectives.

For example if an Indian student was accosted to hand something over in

Australia they may shake their heads left to right as meaning "yes" but

in Australia this means "no". This will put them at risk.

 

cynic 10:50pm June 04, 2009

definitely, violence against any person is not to be condonedand i

hope that the courts deal with the offenders within the pqrameteters of

the justice system and not become some sort of beat up to assuage the

indian gov. living on the sydenham line i can say that travel outside

of peak travel times is out of the quetion for ones personal

safety(regardless of race).Also,as an objective observer there was

nothing too Ghandian about the students domonst4ration at Flinders St.

on the weekend.At the inevitable risk of being labelled rascist i have

to ask whether the Gov. should still be allowing immigration at the

present rate given that there is a less than 1% rental availability,

rental affordability is at an all time low, homelessness is rampant and

growing, we have insufficient infrastructure to support a rapidly

growing population, our water supply is at crisis levels, hospital and

medical services are overburdened etc.etc.Oor gvernment is terribly

concerned about the Indian Student dollar and of course, we have to

appease our investors who would be teribly wrankled that a decreas in

foreign students might lead to a letting up of the current high rental

rort. Go ahead, say it!

 

Abdul of Melbourne10:44pm June 04, 2009

Australia and Australians are not racist, PERIOD. There is in every

society some 'hedge-hogs' with dubious inclines but that shouldn't make

the whole of that society or country look the same. I am of Indian

decent and I've lived in this country for over 25 years and I've never

had any complaints against any Aussie as a matter of fact. It is the

Indian students who need to know how to protect themselves and not

avail themselves as soft-targets in the middle of the night for the

pickings. They need to understand that the Police can not be everywhere

at any given time. They need to look after themselves and stop seeking

others to look after them all the time. This is a different country and

things are done differently from what they are used to in their own

country. Sometimes you have to stand on your own here and not count on

others to bail you out all the time. Stand-up and take measures to

protect yourselves and stop blaming Australians and Australia, please.

 

Kowlasar Misir of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 10:32pm June 04, 2009

This is one of the firsts in this episode: calling the situation in

Australia what it is; thank you Greg. I applaud you on calling the

government and police bluff....sitting in Edmonton and reading the news

and the defences being mounted, I wondered at the new levels of

"pathetic" that will be reached. Is it a wonder that the bashings

continued. I have lived the foreign student life and I cannot imagine

this happening in North America (I am not saying that it is all perfect

here). What is even more revealing, however, is the comments on the

various Australian blogs. I am appalled at the inane chatter and the

ludicrous comments that is being made...if the population makes such

racist comments, how can anyone expect a proper reaction from the

authorities, which are made up of a subset of the general population.

Finally, the Australian media was culpable.... their coverage was

dismal. Only when this event became world news, thanks to the Indian

media, did they decide to give it some attention.

 

Mack 9:58pm June 04, 2009

"On this point, some Australians suspect that the 300,000 or so

foreign students (mostly of Asian extraction) are using an Australian

education simply to acquire permanent residency" Bingo! Happening in

every Western nation on the Globe...Just looking for a quick ticket to

citizenship. There is no such thing as "temporary" worker, student

etcetera....

 

Nithss of Phoenix9:57pm June 04, 2009

Well said Greg. Racism is a monster. I always thought that Australia

is a place where there is lots of equality amonst people. May be some

group in there doesnt believe so.

 

Mack 9:55pm June 04, 2009

kmcombine of Sydney NSW Complete rubbish....Cultures don't need

growth in the numbers Australia is pushing....It is simply a way to

keep idiots like yourself pushing this fallacy so government doesn't

have to make any hard choices. Keep the tax base growing and there is

more for the picking....How did we ever survive with fractions of the

growth and populations of past? Use your brain and stop blindly

regurgitating everything you read....You must be getting close to

retirement.. ...LOL... ..

 

Abhi of India 9:28pm June 04, 2009

Dear friends, I did my education from Australia in late 90's and

have been visitng Oz since. Let me tell you it has changed. It's no

more a country of saying good day mate if you see someone or saying

isn't it a beautiful day! Having said there are still a lot positives

and promises this country holds. Let's not forget except for the

abroginals all are immigratns, first were the whites to settle,

followed by asians, etc. Dare I say all have done well for themselves

thanks to this country. There would always be people in all the other

countries who are aggressive, racist and closed and hence I say

Australia in not racist. All that is required are tougher laws for

racism and a bit of understanding on each side to know each other

better in terms of culture. Australia is a multi cultural socitey and

if it's done well, as country is because of the same reason!

 

karl of melbourne of Melbourne 8:16pm June 04, 2009

Spot on Danaldo (comment @ 4.24pm), it was easy for the Howard

government to play the xenophobia card to win votes and indirectly

encourage anti immigration elements of our society; while at the same

time having full fee paying overseas students coming to Australia. The

Libs. must have thought that they were on to the Magic Pudding.

Unfortunately, we all are now reaping the consequences of that lack of

leadership. This however, does not excuse Mr Brumby for being in denial

and slow to react to the situation.

 

jenny of australia7:57pm June 04, 2009

I did some further investigations and if the crime rate for robbery

and assault in Victoria was applied to the indian student population

then it would be expected that around 343 person could be a victim of

these crimes/year. This is more about street crime not racism. Indian

students are in the high risk age group. The vilification of

Australians is disgusting

 

ph of Melbourne7:52pm June 04, 2009

While there is certainly a racist element to many of these attacks

there has also been an escalation in street violence generally.

Stabbings have become routine as have glassings and gang bashings. The

victoria police are lazy, dopey and hopeless, and the Brumby

governement is asleep at the wheel. The public transport operators do

not take responsibility for the safety of their passengers, but are

quick to fine you for minor infractions. The judiciary is not

responding to this as a crisis, but seem to think it is business as

usual. Melbourne has gone from being a very safe place to a dangerous

place in a matter of a few years. It will take the death of a judges or

politicians son or daughter in one of these attacks before these

halfwits wake up. The way things are now, we may not have to wait very

long for that.

 

xenophobe of China7:37pm June 04, 2009

"Australia has done so well in attracting 400,000 students from Asia

for several reasons, none of which has to do with the quality of the

education. ....... Most importantly, Australian higher education leads

to a track for a permanent residency visa." What is good about

attracting another 400,000 aliens into this home? Its just another

industry which allows politicians, pressure groups, businesses,

colleges & would-be immigrants to short-cut migration to this

country without any reference to whether or not Australians want

400,000 coming through their front door. This "self-annointed elite"

usurps the sovereignty of Australians giving them no say in who their

future countrymen are to be - exactly in the same way as previous

Australian governments usurped aboriginal sovereignty.

 

Frangipanni of Canberra 7:28pm June 04, 2009

Of Indian background and of Indian appearance, I have lived in

Australia for nearly forty years and have NEVER experienced

discrimination at the hands of Australians. Given the levels of

discrimination in India based on race, colour, caste and

religion,perhaps Indian students might like to consider how they might

address the enormous discrimination experienced by their fellow

Indians. Or is discrimination in India something non Indians must

simply accept as a part of Indian culture? The attacks in Australia

have resulted from a mix of naivete, taking one's security for granted

and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'd also bet my bottom

dollar that a disproportionate number of the attackers are NON WHITE

Australians. So why don't we have some honest analysis of these issues

without making this into a phony black versus white situation as it is

being portrayed around the world, which will not resolve the underlying

issues that are causing these problems including ethnic gang based

violence?

 

Davo of Victoria7:26pm June 04, 2009

Read the Times of India reports, they are the most flagrant mob

language you can imagine. Who will bring these journalist to book for

their distortions and ommissions? There is a core group among the

Indians who seem to want to play the vicitm. They experience racism

from lower orders in society, but to accuse the whole country is a bit

rich. These Indians are in many cases ripping the country off working

cash in hand. I met a bank employee who tries to trace Indians who take

out loans and skip the country. A company trainer said 40% of the

documents they bring into the country are forged. The rudeness of some

of them has to be seen to be believed. Like the women who tell me

Indian cab drivers only want money and won't help them get home at

night for short trips, or if they do they are treated in a demeaning

manner. Living in cheap areas probably exposes the Indians to problems,

but they would be better off if they didn't polarize against the rest

of society. If anything we probably need to bring back corporal

punishment of the young as this group is out of control, the majority

are great kids but the bad ones know nobody can touch them. I think

India and Australia should develop relations further but let us not be

played for fools by these guys.

 

Sumit Howell of Frankfurt 7:25pm June 04, 2009

Greg ¿ Australians (and not Indians) and the world will one day be

grateful to you that you have brought this issue open for public

debate. Australia is currently going through the 2nd stage of racism.

Racism exists in a society in 3 stages. The first is when it is not

even recognized that racism exists. I have faced subtle racism in many

European countries where people/shopkeepers/ police ignore you. But, it

can not be reported because the police, judiciary or media of the

country all believe that it is ¿normal¿ for outside people to be

treated differently and they themselves having been doing so. Second

stage is when it is recognized that racism DOES exist. That¿s the

debate which is happening in Australia right now. Unless it is

discussed and debated, no policies/actions would be taken against it.

But beware, the privileged ones will never want to believe it and would

never want to give away their ¿right¿ of treating other people

¿differently¿ because it does give an emotional satisfaction of having

done so ¿ compare it with a boss scolding a junior when he is in a bad

mood. Third stage is when there are laws against it. Like in the United

States of America. I am not saying that racism does not exist there at

all. But, it would be controlled and both the people (whites/non

whites/or whatever race you call it) know the consequences. Of course,

we are far away from a world where racism does not exist in the hearts

at all. If and when that day comes, then we will not need any laws at

all.

 

Dido of Melbourne7:08pm June 04, 2009

As it was written during the protest racism is more dangerous than

swine-flu.The government must act on security about public

transport.This is true that you can spent years without seeing police

officer on the train,this have to change especially on the sensitive

area.

 

Jit of Hassall Grove6:44pm June 04, 2009

This subject has got a large element of truth in it, and its is

shown here too in Sydney, when one tells the authorities they just

brush the subject away and ignore you, its a real shame as we have

shown the world that not to come here, or buy our products, so what is

the state of our nation when it comes to this? when people overseas

see's us as racist, and violence not stopped by the law. Have we become

a racist socity? I say the full force of the law should set to bear and

stop this once and for all, before we get a bad name in the

international eyes.

 

Tracy of Brisbane6:28pm June 04, 2009

So, is it racism if a Chinese Australian hates all the Australian

Indians or the Australian Koreans hate all the Australian Japanese? Was

my Nanna being racist when she unashamably spoke of her dislike for my

German sister-in-law and all of her countrymen? Or do you have to be a

"white" Australian with a hatred of people with a different skin colour

to be racist? Do you have to be a blue-eyed blonde to be "white"? Or is

it anyone who speaks native English? And what's the laymans definition

of Australian - is it someone who was born here; holds an Australian

passport; identifies as being Australian or simply people of Anglo

Saxon/Celt background? I was recently shocked when told by a Peruvian

friend living here that all "Aussie" girls are sluts, when I asked if

that includes me, the answer was "No, you're not Australian, you're

Maltese!", no amount of protesting could persuade my friend otherwise.

So, in this whole race debate, I'd like to know what defines someone as

a "Racist Australian"?

 

Ex Cop who is not fooled of Melbourne6:26pm June 04, 2009

It is very ironic, almost funny, to see the Vic Gov and Vic Police

policy of hiding ethnic crime has come back to bite them - BIG TIME!

The truth is, up to 1/3 of all offenders do not have their race or

country of origin accurately recorded. I worked with these stats for a

decade, and I know what I'm talking about. The bosses play dumb, but it

suits them to have a dysfunctional stats system - makes the job of

decieving the public about the dangers, much easier. Police bosses - at

executive command level - think the public can't handle the truth -

they would panic - thats why Neighbour hood watch doesn't get told

about sex offences anymore... Thus all academic "research" on these

issues is garbage, based on silly numbers with no relation to the real

world. Nonetheless, Strategic Intelligence Reports (Hidden from most of

the Gov and public) have long identified a few ethnic crime cultures,

and the gangs they spawn as a severe and growing problem - particularly

for robberies / stabbings / group bashings - oh and some less visible

nasties - drugs, sex industry and high level corruption. It's a

cultural thing, but admitting this is too PC incorrect, and no one in

power has the courage to talk the tough truth. We still fail to guard

the door, so it should be no surprise we have a constantly growing

number of psychopathic criminals and jihadi scum running loose in

Victoria. They hide amongst the majority of law abiding migrants - and

often prey on their own, more than the rest of us. What's really sad is

that our gutless spin doctor pollies have chose to toungue somewhere

nasty - hoping to appease the rage of the foriegn victims, but continue

to lie / hide / ignore the ethnic crime gang problems. It's pretty

clear the Labour Gov's can't tell the truth about these issues, and

don't really care about the rest of Australia - whom they ideologically

identify as "Redneck white trash".

 

Russell Bonney6:25pm June 04, 2009

The public should be informed as to who is doing these criminal acts

against Indian students. Is it white Australians or other ethnic

groups? Is it those with a drug habit. Is it just to steal? Or perhaps

it is religiously based? Australians treat each other, in the main,

beautifully, including those of other ethnic backgrounds, unless they

become actively violent or anti law. Indians are lovely people.

However, in their own country, often Hindus and Moslems are fighting

against each other to the extent of killing when the newspapers publish

dead bodies that all can see. Curfews sometimes occur in different

cities. Then again, different castes will be fighting each over because

one caste dared to use a well or a temple belonging to the higher

caste. Hundreds of millions of Indians live in abject poverty without

compassion from the majority of the remainder. Those many poor do not

get the chance to come to Australia for an education. The ones who do

come, even if their relatives may work hard and save for it to happen,

are from the better off families. Australia is not racist in that it

hates other races. Different castes, however, do bear hatred. I have

known, for example of a low caste mother-in-law speaking against her

higher caste daughters-in- law. That is part of the Indian way of life.

Generally, the rich and upper ones despise the others and do not lift a

hand to help those teeming millions. Therefore, because as people, who

are not tame and non-aggressive but who will not take kindly to abuse,

we should realise they will take action as has been proved of late.

Really, Indians like Australians and we like them. We share a love of

cricket and of similar humour. We have a common bond of intelligence.

At this time, please, India, cool down because we Aussies really like

you all. We take you as you are and hope you accept us as we are in

reality. As for those who are attacking Indian students, whether they

be whites, ethnics or religious, let the full arm of the Law deal with

them.

 

Jay DT of Thornbury, Vic6:22pm June 04, 2009

I agree with Mr Sheridan that these attacks against Indian students

are racist. And I'm wondering what sort of reaction this simple fact

will get from the many readers who wrote into 'The Australian' saying

the attacks WEREN'T racist. On the other hand, perhaps Sheridan is

trying (partly) to placate these readers by saying that the Indian

press' reaction to the attacks is "hysterical". What is "hysterical"

about shining a spotlight on these crimes? Why lie to its citizens that

Australia is the land of the good and plenty for all?

 

Um of OZ 6:20pm June 04, 2009

Hi everyone... I want to send some information to GREG(The

Australian) regarding another issue of racial bashing and the poor

international student is the hospital in emergency... The guy came here

with big dreams his parents took out loan sell their lands to send

their son for higher education... The life of the young guy is gone and

he is not able to do anything...I feel ashamed to say that when ever

you go to police nothing is get done and your precious time being

wasted...It's really heart wrenching that he was a loved one of

someone.I have just came from my home country and certainly felt the

attitude is very different if u r not white skin, i am not saying Aus

is a racist country but the FACT is skin difference does prevail...

 

Steven Majewski of North Perth 6:18pm June 04, 2009

Jenna from Geelong I think the issue of racism should be put on the

backburner because it has come to the point of hysteria. You can

murder, bash, rob someone but don't you dare be racist. It is an issue

that seems to have reared its head only when those of a non white

appearance started coming to this country. Previous generations from

Europe that came to this country suffered the same racism but there is

never any mention of this, why because they were white. In your opinion

I might be lower than a snakes belly but I will continue to express

whatever opinion I like regardless of people like you who walk around

with your head fair up your backside and always jump to the defence of

the non whites only regardless of what they do.

 

Greg of Melbourne6:01pm June 04, 2009

I agree with DM of Melbourne: While some of these attacks may well

be racially motivated, we haven't heard any evidence to support

Sheridan's blanket assertions. What proportion of total violent attacks

do those on Indians represent, and how do the growing number of attacks

compare with the huge growth in student numbers and their particular

vulnerabilities; a heavy reliance on part-time night jobs, public

transport and cheap rental accommodation in more dangerous suburban

locales? And why, when we have more east Asian students in Melbourne

than south Asian, is it the generally less affluent Indian students who

are the supposed targets of racist attacks? Should we conclude that

racist thugs are discriminating between different types of Asian or the

more probable alternative - that Indian students, are more vulnerable

due to their demographic, not their race?

 

kmcombine of Sydney NSW 5:47pm June 04, 2009

Greg Sheridan's opinion piece is timely, informed and balanced. The

long term implications of aging Australians are a VITALLY important

factor which he and other contributors to the debate persist in

ignoring. The aging of population is a phenomenon affecting every

industrial economy to a greater or less degree. Even though the aging

of India¿s population has belatedly and incipiently started, it will

not become a national concern in that country until about 2050. In the

meantime, Australia will be competing with countries in the European

Union, China (thanks to its infamous one-child policy) and Japan for

skilled professional and skilled labour to replenish their national

workforces. India, Bangladesh and Nepal are the only countries in the

world with populations capable of sustaining a stable supply of workers

to Australia¿s economy and those of its competitors. For some decades

yet, Canada and the United States will continue outpace Australia in

the global competition for skilled and unskilled emigrants from South

and Central American countries. The Hispanic contribution to North

America¿s labour replenishment has become known to global demographers

as the `Latino Lift¿. Perspicacious Australians realize the longer-term

horrendous social and economic damage that unprovoked attacks on Indian

and other students from the subcontinent can create for their country¿s

economic future. The `round table¿ conferences occurring at State and

Federal level to contain and hopefully reverse this damage, though

belated, are an appropriate response. More needs to be done to attune

aging Australians as what their quality of life and standard of living

might be if those students chose not to immigrate here.

 

Vidya 5:37pm June 04, 2009

I agree with ur article completely Greg but I have a problem with

some of the comments that seem to say, u have a problem in ur country,

dont come and advice us.Well yeah we have the issue of casteism but

atleast we are working on it though I am against the means at which

they are addressing the issue of the low caste people.By the way there

was a comment which said minority people are not well taken care of in

India. Do you know anything about India? You know what most of the

policies and politicians support the people from the minority groups

esp Muslims and Christians.Thats why you see everyone from media to

politicians bashing the right wing party because they mainly support

Hindus. There are one or two incidents and all the foreign media make a

big thing out of it.Its just like what has happened now. Racism

actually is not prevalent in australia to the extent the Indian media

has portrayed but it does exist. The students who come here pay hefty

fees and I know personally people who have mortgaged their house to

send their students for higher studies. Obviously they do need

security.Also you pride urself in being a OECD country, isnt providing

security one of the basic thing that you provide to the people who are

in this country?

 

Khadeland of Sydney5:26pm June 04, 2009

Australia being racist and the attacks on Indian students are two

different subjects. It is to be noted that the Indian students got

robbed or mugged after they got attacked, this does not indicate

'racism', it merely shows the thugs as being opportunistic. This has to

be handled as any other crime, as any other robbery or mugging. If the

police do not act without a valid reason, like Rod L of Melbourne

4:41pm today, suggests then the cops should wear the 'racism' cap. It

is they who ultimately need to own up to the rise in crime and showing

a blind-eye to reports of crime made by a non-white person. I can cite

an example here, this happened close to where I live where a migrant

from Sri Lanka got bashed. he was admitted to the hospital an all but

the cops never arrived when someone called the emergency number. Why

not? To substantiate my belief that Australia is racist I list the

below points. 1. No non-white actors on TV on any of the Australian

programs 2. The likes of Backyard Blitz TV programs never feature a

house of a non-white being fixed 3. No non-white gets selected to the

regional cricket teams except Khwaja for NSW Blues who is an exception.

NZ, England and all have coloured players in their team. 4. Only whites

are affected by calamities and need fund-raising, never it is a

Vietnamese, or an Aboriginee, etc. 5. If you watch Oz TV you realise

there are hardly any non-whites 6. The celebration of the Chk Chk Boom

girl to celebrity status despite racist remarks and she never gets

punished despute crying wolf! There are umpteen more reasons to

classify Australia, parts of its government and media as racist. The

sooner this accepted we can look to a solution as there is no point

having heads in sand. I have not even quoted the past as those

atrocities were by a different generation, there was no internet so

news could be controlled but not these days where even Fritzl wass

famous all over the world in no time.

 

dinsor 4:52pm June 04, 2009

Hey Aussies true blue. It is true that when a non white person is

bashed it is racism: Rubbish rubbish. When a White person is bashed it

is a Nuisance and no news at all. However there is an underlying

problem with our youth in that they believe the Aust Governments have a

poor immigration policy including so called Refugees. Indian Students

possibly too many per year are taking many part time jobs from our

youth. Our Aussie youth have been let down educationally by our inept

Education State Systems poor teacher standards over many years of

neglect. Problem now is Indian students whom study in AUSSIE are

clever, and quick to learn and not frightened of hard work. This scares

our uneducated youth and some lazy Aussie young. Victoria is a melting

pot of multiracial people and remember that some of these are now third

generation Aussies but have the hatred instilled by their parents

towards certain groups within their Clans, tribes and groups. Violence

in Victoria especially Melb where white Aussies are a minority will

grow. Sydney Western Suburbs and Inala in Brisbane the same. STOP

Racist bashing by the Press and things may cool down a little but it

will not go away. Remember the Melb Tennis incident. Our home grown

Ethnics at work.

 

Curmudgeon of High Dudgeon of perth4:48pm June 04, 2009

Dont often agree with Greg but we are singimg off the same page on

this one. I dont know how racially motivated all these attacks were,but

Asians are regular opportunistic targets as they are smaller and don't

come from a warrior nackground. Body langusge is a big determinant in

victim selection by a predator. Human body langauge is basically

ubiquitous but the exception is the subcontinent which has a different

subset of body language. This may be a factor in the selection of

Indians as a target.

 

Rod L of Melbourne4:41pm June 04, 2009

Thanks for article Greg. The Victorian government,the police and we

as a community, which you also allude to, are not at all taking this

ugly aspectseriously, one that has been emerging in too many pockets of

Australian cities and less obviously away from the cities. One writer

points out many of the attacks are by a number people with African or

Asian origin. This makes it a minefield for any definitive statement

about where to lay blame and from whom and where this problem is

emerging. Is it all in the major sense, a immigration related problem,

a problem of our multi-cultural society that we so sweetly paint at

times. Where do the so-called Anglo-Saxon, Indigenous, European and

Middle Eastern peoples both receive and contribute to this problem?

Some of the worst overt hatred of other races within my country that I

have seen has been from those who you would have thought, having

experienced in their immigration history, would be more compassionate

to those that are from a different culture. All I am saying is do not

let the Anglo-Saxons stand alone here, lets see the wider dimensions of

this incipient racism more strongly. As you say, take this bloody ugly

monster seriously before it is too late.

 

tommy of melbourne4:29pm June 04, 2009

Greg, you havent touched on the fact, that these same students are

from families who have mercilessly persecuted the minorities

particularly Christians and lower castes in India. These unfortunates

are bashed and robbed, raped etc, yet no one knows. Secondly you talk

of skills. The majority of these student have enrolled in vocational

cookery classes mainly to gain residency. They have poor knowledge of

English and will in all probability once they gain residency not

integrate. Rather they will bring wives, and extended family over. I am

not condoning any bashing, just touching on a motive

 

Danaldo of Melbourne 4:24pm June 04, 2009

Presumably for Greg Sheridan racism in Australia has come to exist

since the end of the Howard government. This article is basically an

excuse to criticise Labor governments. Where was Greg when the Howard

government was encouraging racism by adopting One Nation's policies,

turning the Tampa away, creating children overboard myths, agreeing

with "axis of evil" rhetoric, denying the existence of the stolen

generation, etc. Racism must be addressed at any time, not merely when

Labor is in power.

 

Khadeland of Sydney4:13pm June 04, 2009

The chances of violence in Australia are very high with minor

arguments ending up in stabbing. The attacks may have a racial element

to it but they seem to be mostly opportunistic. Every state, including

NSW, need to better their act in general crime control, the cops need

to be out there to prevent crime from happening and not stay within the

four walls of their offices. NZ was just voted the most peaceful nation

in the world and its education system is not that bad, may be even

better than Oz. The pollies better show some balls and stop this

getting further out of hand.

 

Aussie Indian of Cherrybrook 4:00pm June 04, 2009

I have been living here now for 20 odd years, a citizen and

committed to my homeland. Personally have not really experienced

anything major, but violence is very dangerous. To think that because

of my Indian origin and ethnicity I could be attacked, this is very

concerning. My response will be that other indians 'passive indians'

will have to mobilise ourselves and ensure that we are not abused. We

will not not take this lying down and I fear this will lead to the

formation of gangs and tit for tat attacks unless the issue is

addressed. I think you all are forgetting the Indians that have been

settled here with their families for many years, contributing to our

wider society. We have to all consider our safety and the safety of our

family.

 

Deepak 3:58pm June 04, 2009

Hi all, I am a person who was an international student in Melbourne

and i am currently in Brisbane working. I agree with greg's article to

a hundred percent. I dont call Australia a racist country, but skin

colour does matter here.

 

Shyam Chabra of Fitzroy 3:55pm June 04, 2009

I wonder why the same reaction to claims of racism were not

forthcoming when the ex-president of the AMA,Dr.Mukesh Haikerwal was

savagely bashed not so long ago.He was lucky to survive this cowardly

attack.It seems that too many are hiding in defensiveness, indifference

and a concerted attempt to convey a message to government about the

present entry policy.

 

Refugee of Melbourne 3:46pm June 04, 2009

I work in a job. I get into trouble because I dont treat other

people from overseas in an appropriate manner. I have to be polite to

them at all times and bow down to their needs, but, its o'k if they

talk in their own language if Im standing there( because I might offend

them if theyre talking bout me), they are rude and arrogant to me and

yet I still get called a racist. Seems the racist word works if it is

pointed one way, afterall, it takes a racist to know one and Im fast

becoming a racist. The government doesnt care if our jobs are being

lost to people from overseas, they get money and will be on a pension

for the rest of their life, why should they care? A lot of asian or

chinese malaysian Japanese hongkong, come out here and study also, then

why is it that we sposedly only have a problem with Indian students and

not them?? There is a v.ery deep underlying issue that people refuse to

look at, or, until it starts to affect them! The Indians seem to make

demands and the government bends to their needs, dont worry bout me

mate, I just live here.

 

The Big Ship of Curmudgeon Cove3:36pm June 04, 2009

Good for you, Mr. Sheridan. It is refreshing to see a mainstream

member of the Murdoch Press writing an article of substance on an

important issue that needs to be decisively confronted by those in

authority. You are absolutely correct in your assertion that the Brumby

Government has tried to at first deny, then minimise the importance of

dealing with this outbreak of racist violence against Indian students,

who are among our community's most vulnerable, and therefore easiest

targets for cowardly bigots to single out for attack and abuse. The

feeble and belated Victorian police reaction to the original violence,

and subsequent heavy handed over-reaction to the recent peaceful

protests, has not shown our country, or it's citizens in a favourable

light, and is justifiably being given airtime by overseas media. It is

high time for the State and Federal Governments, and the various police

administrations under their control, to act decisively to bring the

perpetrators of these violent crimes to swift justice, and to be seen

to be actively doing so. The last decade and more of 'dog whistle'

politics on the issues of incipient racism in this country, and the

potential for violence lying near the surface that can be brought to

the boil by inaction and fear mongering, should be closed off as an

historic and regrettable mistake now that the venal Howard regime is no

longer in power. Let us move forward by denouncing these attacks for

what they are - the racist acts of a small fringe of bigoted zealots -

but ensuring that we do not minimise, or deny the existence of this

strain of latent xenophobia that lurks just under the skin of our

nation's body politic, by vowing to act when required to deal with the

problem. We must remain vigilent against those individuals, or groups,

whatever their status or position in politics or society, who would

seek to take advantage of Hansonism, and its attendent ugly and violent

manifestations, to further their reactionary and racist agenda.

 

navi of sydney 3:35pm June 04, 2009

I HATE THESE TYPE OF DISCRIMINATION. PEOPLE CAME FROM INDIA TALK

ABOUT DISCRIMINATION. BUT WHY THEY NEVER TALK OR PROTEST AGAINAST

DISCRIMINATION WHICH IS GOING ON IN THEIR OWN COUNTARY ON THE BASIS OF

CAST SYSTEM. wHY THESE PEOPLE BELEIVE IN CAST SYSTEM IF THEY ARE FROM

DISCRIMINATION FREE COUNTARY. I ANY ONE KONWS THE ANSWER PLEASE GIVE

YOUR VIEWS SO THAT WE CAN DISCUSS IT

 

rob of box hill 3:17pm June 04, 2009

As a former taxi driver here in melbourne i've witnessed some

appalling scenes of apathy from the vic police regarding theft by fare

evasion from indian drivers by outer suburban aussie youth. On one

occasion i helped an indian driver catch a youth who'd jumped the a

fence in rowville , the driver positivly identified him as one of three

that had done the runner, when the police finally arrived they said

there was no eveidence to charge him and let the youth go. this was two

hours pay that driver had lost. Another time i went with an indian

driver , for moral support, into wantirna police station as he had

actually seen the house a 'runner' had gone into, and then when i had

arrived to help him, via the taxi company's help message system, the

whole family had come out in defence of their theiving son, who was

again positivly ID'd by the driver. Anyhow again the police where

interested in more important things than theft from an indian, i was

actually made to feel fairly intimidated just being there when i tried

to insist the police take action in such a black and white case (no pun

intended), my presence there hadn't help and it was after then that i

realized the indian driver concerned was right when he'd said to me

that the police would not help, i'd been the one who'd insisted that we

go to the police station and not let this kid get away with blatent

theft , so we both lost another hours pay on a busy night. Seems that

the police probably are fairly tainted by racism themselves. Futhermore

there have been countles occasions when my 'fellow aussie' passengers

have confided in me how they abuse and deride and rob, by fare evasion,

my 'towel headed curry munching' work comrades, its all seen as a big

joke by them, no denying it, these fair eveasions are racially

motivated, where i, as an 'aussie', counted about one a year,over 15

years driving, and mostly by a non 'white australian' group of

passengers, these poor indians count one or two fare evasions a week if

working the night shift, almost always by white australian youth,, and

thats the truth.

 

dmadan of victoria3:16pm June 04, 2009

Hey Somebody in the past quoted about Graham Stein was burned in

India. Please note that That was sort of extremist activity and entire

India admitted this. All India condemned this and the accused is in

Jail and being Punished. This is called as action against racism. While

with all gadgets available police and govt kept on denying the facts of

racist act. Can we see correct response from Govt. and Mr. Overland?

 

Shans of USA 3:01pm June 04, 2009

At last, I have read an article in an Australian media which delves

into the real issue of racism which confronts Australia. When these

senseless attacks were occuring, the Australian media were completely

silent until the hell broke loose on the Indian media and led it to

become an international issue. To recognise and accept that such a

problem exists means substantial initial progress in dealing with the

menace. I believe that the laws dealing with teenage crimes is very lax

and parents of such offenders should be held accountable for their

acts. Any country's future is its youth and Australia has been and will

always be a land of immigrants. I appreciate the number of condemnation

by the Australian people and some leading sportsmen. More of such

reaction from Australian cricketers will go a long way in promoting

faith and tolerant behaviour in this country and people which is a

hallmark of a progressive democractic country.

 

jenny of australia2:43pm June 04, 2009

Please can someone tell me where the figure on 1500 assaults or

robberies of Indian descent in Victoria come from? I can not find this

source? The Victorian crime figures for 2007-08 do not contain this

info. How does this rate compare for all other groups? What is the

backround of those who are doing the crimes? That aside I do think that

there needs to be better policing and also better information on

staying safe provided to new arrivals. I have read some the extreme

coverage in the indian press and it is truly appalling and extreme. If

it was said hear the anti-discrimination laws would apply.

 

wilma of brisbane2:24pm June 04, 2009

The UK has closed 1500 International Schools operating as a front

for Asian immigrants to obtain vizas as Students who then merge into

the community never to be seen again. Can you assure us that this

clever ruse is not occuring in Australia. In Melbourne last week a most

unlikly door labled International School had a closed sign on it .

 

tom of lane cove nsw2:23pm June 04, 2009

Ask a fish what it's like to live in water, and the fish will reply

'Wter, what's water'? Ask an Australain whether his country is racist

and he replies 'Us racist, don't be daft'. Furthermore, it is

emotionally and psychologically extremely painful to face our

shortcomings, individual or nation. The combination of psychoemotional

defensiveness coupled with blindness makes it very difficult for

Australians to tackle its racism. Look no further than your relations

with Aborigines; in particular the genocidal episodes of the past.

Guilt, rage and bottomless sadness sit just beneath the surface of this

culture, for both whites and blacks. It is a massive challenge to face

our shadow but Australia will not be able to move forward unless it

begins to heal the weeping wounds of racism inherited from its savage

beginnings. Most people are not intentionally racist and they require

an ongoing national debate, a public forum with intellectual weight to

help approach this most sensitive issue. The media along with

politicians must lead this debate, and it is urgently needed.

Compassion and kindness cannot flourish without the courage to face the

truth.

 

Old Greg of Adelaide2:07pm June 04, 2009

I completely disagree with any analysis of this problem being

removed from the VERY specific circumstances and turned in to a general

rant about how white Australians are racist. There are so many reasons

why indian students are being targeted in attacks like this and clearly

not all of them are related to racial hatred - some are economic (steal

laptops, ipods which students tend to carry) some are opportunistic

(Indian students are generally passive people and less likely to fight

back) and some are related to the environment (the areas of Melbourne

that we're talking about arent' exactly affluent are they). Also, this

article suggests that only white people are committing these attacks

and it uses the stereotype of the red neck, hick, hillbilly white trash

Anglo-Australian. We know for a fact that many of these attacks have

been perpetrated by people who are not from Anglo-Celtic backgrounds.

All of this generalisation about Australia being a racist country fits

nicely with snobbish, inner-city, undergraduate social analysis but it

simply doesn't reflect reality. Australia is not a racist country. Want

proof? Compare the popularity and influence of ultra-right wing

(nationalist/ ethnic based) groups in Europe/UK and America and compare

those numbers to Australia. Now that would be an OBJECTIVE way to

measure the prevelance of racism in a society as opposed to these vague

and opportunistic (and ideological) rants about Australia's

'underlying' racism. I think you'll find that we come out looking very

good by comparison. Also, Asian countries in our region tend to label

us a racist because of their own racist attitudes. Oh, woops, my

mistake, of course they can't be racist because they're not white. And

eveyone knows that only white people are racist - we're all just a

bunch of hicks covered in tattoos.

 

VALDEREE 1:55pm June 04, 2009

Mr Sheridan: Instead of striving to whip up yet another white

Aussie-bashing hysterical rave-fest, why not just stick to the facts?

The Bleeding Hearts, civil liberties groups and political correctness

are not only preventing the long suffering police from doing the job

they want to do: they are also shielding the REAL CUPRITS of many of

these attacks from being identified, prosecuted and, where applicable,

deported (which is what should happen, in my opinion). We have enough

home-grown problems without importing more from the four corners of the

globe. We, as long suffering taxpayers, are being ripped off and rorted

left, west and centre through the myriad immigration student scams that

are currently allowed to flourish here. The government should act

immediately and close these so-called 'colleges' down. The so-called

'students' who attend them are merely sneaky, back-door immigrants,

taking up the places that should instead be granted to bona fide

applicants. Finally: the root cause of these tensions within our once

harmonious and happy communities? Well, I think this could easily be

sorted out. The government should just hold a referendum and ask the

Australian people whether or not they want a "multicultural" country.

If that had been done in the first place (as it should have been, this

being a 'democratic' country), then we would have saved ourselved an

enormous amount of money and angst.

 

Sam of Adelaide1:50pm June 04, 2009

I rarely agree with Mr Sheridan, but I must say that he is

absolutely correct with this one. Great piece Greg and thanks for

calling a spade, spade. One only has to read the blogs in tabloids to

realise how bigoted many Australians are. When faced with a criticism

we have the great ability to bury our collective heads in sand and live

in absolute denial. Rather than accepting the faults and do something

about it, the usual response is to claim we are better than others.

Sure, we may be better than the talibans, but it that enough for a

civil society? There is absolutely no place for racism in a civil

society like Australia and anyone who incites racial hatred should face

full force of the law- and that goes for the shock-jocks and

irresponsible journos.

 

Jenna of Geelong1:31pm June 04, 2009

Steven of North Perth - You think that people being judged purely by

skin colour is an issue that deserves to be put on the backburner?

There's no way an 'Australian' would viciously attack an Indian just

because of blind prejudice? Open your eyes Steven, your own views may

not be that far removed from the thugs, who also think the suffering of

new Australians is nothing to be concerned about. Lower than a snake's

belly.

 

Sean 1:29pm June 04, 2009

I hate agreeing with Greg, but he is absolutely spot on about this.

The obsession with spin on the part of the relevant authorities has

been utterly self defeating; it is clear that they all considered this

a perception problem to be managed by soothing words. But there are a

lot of mean bastards in the endless suburban sprawl that will need to

be tackled with genuine action and genuine penalties.

 

CH of Melbourne1:24pm June 04, 2009

Greg, this is a shameful misrepresentation of the facts. As an

Australian I have recently been branded a racist by the Indian media

and it appears, many Indian students. This is a tremendously divisive

approach and is not helpful in addressing the core, complex issue. It

is appalling that any person is attacked. And if racism is part of the

attack, that is disgusting. Show me the racists, show me the attack and

I will be the first person to send them to jail. However the statistics

dont stack up to the claim that these attacks are about racism.... the

number of Indian students in Australia has dramatically increased

(doubled since 2006), they take risky late night jobs, and in line with

this, so have the number of attacks..... only some of this issue is

about racism. I have never witnessed any racism against any Indian

student. I have many friends of Indian background and they have never

complained about racism to me. That said, I live in the inner eastern

suburbs and I avoid dangerous situations.. . like late night train

travel. Racism should be condemed in all forms, however I think the

Federation of Indian Students in Australia needs to show some

leadership, apologise for reverse racism that has arisen (eg All

Australians are racists)... and work together with the Australian

community to address something that is increasingly affecting both

Australians and international students...street violence. And secondly,

the data must be made available on all statistics, showing clearly the

race of the attacker and the attacked so that any race issue can be

identified and addressed.

 

GrumpyOldMan of Camberwell 1:20pm June 04, 2009

I read your article Greg looking for some evidence of the profile of

the scum that go around bashing Indian students. Surely after 1500

bashings last year there must be some indication of whether they are

being caused by some sub-group or other in our society? Instead of

slagging off the state and federal government in your normal style, how

about doing some real investigative journalism and informing us of the

identity and motives of these criminals. Or is it just easier to assume

it is racially based, rather than opportunistic and caused by alcohol

abuse or need for drug money, because that suits your right-wing agenda?

 

md of Western Sydney 1:08pm June 04, 2009

I'm usually loathed to read Greg's articles, but I agree with

everything he has said here. The government in Victoria should stop

behaving as if there is no racial element to these crimes, this is just

dragging their reputation down further. In general I believe there is

too much of tolerance of street crime in Australia. It's risky to take

a late night train. The streets are no-go zones in my area when its

dark. Police response to complaints is lackadaisical and there are

simply not enough patrols. Why can't we hire more police to patrol

dangerous streets? Why can't I travel outside at night without fear?

The government will tell you that they've installed CCTV cameras. Gee,

thanks, lets sit idly by and watch street muggings and train bashings.

I hope the community keeps up the pressure, and I am glad to see the

economic consequences discussed, because this may be the only way that

the government will take it seriously.

 

Ravinder Singh of Adelaide 1:01pm June 04, 2009

Dear Sir, I am pleased to see that some one has written about the

plight of students especially Indian students. People should understand

that Indian students are really facing problem not only in Victoria but

in other States as well. I do not want to blame to Australian people

because I believe 5 to 10% people who has no respect for other in

Australia and you find these kind of people in every country even in

India as well. Main problem is the attitude of police towards students.

In my point of view, Australia cops are very friendly, honest and hard

working but some time some cops do not see the cases of international

students meticulously just because we are not citizen of Australia and

that cause frustration among students. Every one has seen that

frustration on the street of Melbourne. I think we should treat others

the way we want to be treated ourselves by others. I believe that

Australia is very peace full country and I am enjoying my time here. I

appreciate you pointed out the facts. Thanking you Yours sincerely Ravi

 

Davis of Sydney12:52pm June 04, 2009

Greg, your article is spot on. I believe most nationalities hold

racist views about other nationalities. it is almost part of human

nature. However, the differences in Australia are that a) we have more

opportunities, if we are un-disciplined and insensitive (and a lot of

us are) enough, to express that racism due to our multi-cultural

society, and b) racism seems to be more overt amongst Australians of

white European background. It is unclear why, but it is certainly

there. I myself am of white European background, born in Australia and

married to an Asian girl. Amongst my circle of (white European)

friends, there are casually racist remarks made all the time. It's so

much part of the Aussie lingo that most people don't even notice they

are saying such things, and are completely oblivious and ignorant to

the effect on others. I notice, because I don't agree with their racist

comments. I think the only answer for immigrants, visitors and all

residents of Australia, is forced integration. By this I mean we need

policies that force everyone to communicate and integrate with one

another, rather than the current situation where each nationality

(including those of white European background) huddles to itself. This

only exacerbates the tension. Of all the nationalities that visit

and/or emigrate to Australia, I have found those from the Sub-Continent

to be the most willing to do this. It is an absolute shame on Australia

that we treat them with such disgusting disrespect in return.

 

Steven Majewski of North Perth 12:47pm June 04, 2009

Why is that when a person of a non white appearance is assaulted

they immediately claim racism, yet when a person of white appearance is

assaulted by someone of non white appearance something which regularly

occurs it is not considered a racist attack. Racism has become one of

the most overdone & overhandled issues of our generation and it is

time for it to be put on the backburner where it belongs.

 

Robert Taylor12:45pm June 04, 2009

Greg, Have a look at the Essendon Football Club in Melbourne for an

example of a local business trying to improve social inclusion outcomes

for international students. As part of their community development

area, they've been running a program specifically for international

students designed to get them involved with the club and its community.

A great initiative which I don't think has got enough cudos to date.

Good work Bombers !

 

susanna of Lindfield12:40pm June 04, 2009

Many people can be racists in big ways or small. But Australians are

more so than others. They deny it ; they may not be aware of it ¿

simply because in their own country they are not at the receiving end.

To be a racist, one does not have to take part in Cronulla riots. Take

a look at the little things Australians do everyday that they are not

consciously aware of. Here are a few examples Australians pride

themselves on being egalitarian, easy going and tolerant. But this

attitude is mostly towards other whites, especially Americans, but not

Bosnians, Albanians, Serbians or Asians. Australians endorse a

multiculture policy but blame new immigrants for tending not to

integrate. How often to you see people at work befriending those who

can¿t speak English well? Do schools and governments ever encourage to

take the initiative? Integration can only be effaciously if it is a two

way effort. A white naturalized immigrant is always described by

newspapers as an Australian. Other naturalized or locally born citizens

are always Chinese Australians, Vietnamese Australians or Lebanese

Australians.

 

Darren Harlock of Tokyo 12:38pm June 04, 2009

Hi Greg - a couple of quick points: 1) More police on trains does

nothing to combat the problem of 'racism' as such, and your article

seems somewhat devoid of other ideas to help fix the problem. It is all

fine and well to say "action, not words" - but what action are you

suggesting? How should we fix the underlying culture of racism you

identify in your paper? Or are you suggesting we fit all incoming

Indian students with their own full body taxi driver protection

screens? 2) Your point regarding Australian universities seems flawed

at best. You seem to suggest that: a) US universities are more

expensive, but better than Australia's b) AU is less expensive, but not

as good as the US and then use that to suggest that Australian

universities are "mercilessly" ripping off foreign students with

regards value for money. Even if it were true that US institutions were

of a higher quality (and I would hold that this is not generally the

case outside of a select, elite group), this does not make sense - it

becomes a simple cost/benefit analysis for the student. I accept that

dodgy promoters may still attempt to scam students, but the government

has CRICOS and other systems in place to deal with this, and the

situation in Australia is much better than that in the UK for example

in this regard. Finally I would note that at postgraduate level, fees

for foreign students are very close to those paid by domestic students.

I should know - I am paying only a couple of thousand less than

international students to pursue my Masters at an Australian university

at present. I agree that both racism and educational standards are

worrying problems that requires continuing attention in Australia. Your

article however smacks of sensationalism with very little proof or

insight to back it up. Best regards, Darren

 

Dennis of Sydney12:26pm June 04, 2009

I whole heartedly agree with the article! Absolutely! But this is

what happens when you "DONT" for "70 LONG YEARS" teach "anthropology"

classes in the high schools! To teach all the kids, about the

Angles-Saxons (Teutonic tribes) or the Celts, the American Indians, or

Slavs, or Bantu, or Arabs, Phoenicians, Greeks, Malays, Han Chinese

etc, etc,! "3RD WORLD" HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION SYSTEMS/CURRICULUMS IN

AUSTRALIA HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO ALL THIS! FOR FAR TOO LONG! Most of the

Anglo-Celtic kids running around these days "DONT" even know they are

them! That they "ARE" the Celts & the Angles from yesteryear, who

built all those castles & believed in the gods Thor & Oden!

That's a start! And you can go from there by getting the likes of

Andrew Bolt to silence his mouth & start behaving like a person too!

 

Nick of Sydney12:07pm June 04, 2009

These comments are spot on. I just hope that they are read and

understood by those in authority in Govenment and education. The state

and federal governments need to be jolted out of their inertia. The

education sector needs a bit of goosing as well. For years they have

been taking easy money from foreign students. If they want the gravy

train to keep rolling they need to push for better physical protection

of foreign students. 1500 robberies and assaults in such a small

minority is not random, it's a pattern. Allowing it to continue is not

merely stupid, it's cowardice in the face of thuggery.

 

Rob of Brisbane11:59am June 04, 2009

Greg, this is an excellent article. As someone married to a

foreigner who arrived in this country originally to study English, I

know exactly the kind of ramshackle institutions that you are referring

to in the latter part of your article. Often these courses are just

visa factories for foreign students who gain no educational benefit;

nor do the schools even try to provide education, rather focusing on

cashing in on students who come from less wealthy nations to improve

their station in life. As for racism, my wife, and a number of our

friends from the same Sth American country, experience horrendous

levels of racism. The darker the skin colour, the worse it is, and our

friends have also noted a nastier tone to racist remarks directed at

Indian students. The notion of Australia as a "tolerant" society is a

total furphy most of the time, in my experience. I don't even like the

term "tolerant", which to me implies that we Australians just "put up

with" the non-Anglo elements in our society. But this is an important

discussion, this one about race and racism in Australia, and I commend

you for placing it front and centre in this newspaper.

 

R Gibson of Cary US11:57am June 04, 2009

As an Aussy living in the US I can tell you that telling a foriegn

student to go to the US instead of Australia to avoid racism is

somewhat like jumping off boat to avoid getting wet from bow

spray...need I say , LA Riots, Cincinatti Riots, Missisippi Burning,

Lynchings, Civil War, Slave states...to name a few. You will never

completely erase racism from Australia..but don't stop trying.

 

Steve of Canberra11:54am June 04, 2009

I'm not to sure if I agree with you about those last few paragraphs.

But you're spot on re: the pathetic government response to these

bashings. This is an absolute disgrace and more needs to be done to

prevent it. The Victorian governments response is laughable and I'm

glad you gave it some attention, if they don't lift their game,

Melbourne will experience much more racial violence like this.

Unacceptable.

 

Mathew of Singapore11:51am June 04, 2009

Thank you for finally pointing out where things are really going

wrong. People like you, give Australia hope to progress and change for

the better. Best Regards, Mathew

 

Fazal of Melbourne11:46am June 04, 2009

Greg, most of the assaults on Indians have been by African or Asian

gangs/individuals. This facet of the problem should not be glossed

over. Violence like this, per se, cannot be tolerated in our society

and the police should be released from their shackles of political

correctness and allowed to get on with the job.

 

wolf boy of alexandria 11:32am June 04, 2009

'Most importantly, Australian higher education leads to a track for

a permanent residency visa.' is that why we have so many foreign

students doing administrative courses or hospitality courses? why do we

make it so easy for anyone (bar refugees on a leaky boat)to gain

permanent residence? would they come otherwise? this is rorting of the

highest order.

 

Zoe 11:20am June 04, 2009

Agree. Such a disgrace, not just for Melbourne, but whole Australia.

Not a citizen, but feel somehow ashamed of what has been happening.

Still a beautiful place to be, but with doubts.

 

leah of burwood, melbourne - australia11:19am June 04, 2009

I was born in Asia and came to Australia as a five month old baby..

the racial abuse I accepted blindly while growing up in the country was

disgusting and my older brother - adopted from Bangladesh received the

same sort of close minded discrimination. My family moved to Melbourne

and we found it to be a place more accepting of the worlds different

cultures and creeds and that's why it is so terrible that the Brumby

government chose to approach this crisis with such a blatant refusual

of the facts. If Melbourne is becoming the home for racially incited

violent attacks they must take measures to stop our city from becoming

a haven for those who are violating one of our most basic human rights

- the right to safety. Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of human

rights.. 'Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of

person'. The inaction of the Victorian government is NOT a reflection

of the majority of Melbournians. I attend Deakin University and know

that many people are in support of our Indian Students' Asspcoation. A

facebook group has been created by the members of our community

desperately wishing to communicate to International students that

violence and this racial discrimination is not acceptable. As much as I

praise Simon Overland for his efforts in stamping out organised crime,

denial of racial vilification is embarrassing. You aren't looking at

our country if you are putting these crimes simply down to

'opportunistic' motives. http://www.facebook .com/group. php?gid=10001895 9248

 

Tony Mc of Lower Mitcham SA 11:16am June 04, 2009

There seems to be the assumption that all racist attackers are white

anglo saxons. When several Japanese were assaulted in north Queensland

some time ago there was anti-racist outrage until it was revealed that

the attackers were aboriginal and then all outrage instantly stopped.

It seems that the authorities are frightened to tackle non-white

racists for fear of being labelled as racist themselves.

 

Timmyk of Adelaide11:13am June 04, 2009

It is rare indeed that I agree 100% with Greg Sheridan, but I think

he has pretty much nailed it here. As a caucasian Australian student in

Adelaide, I can't help but notice the disconnect between 'Us' and

'Them'. There seems to be little sustained effort on the universitys'

part to encourage interaction between students of different

backgrounds, and when there is it often comes in the form of some boozy

international party at the bar, or bbqs with those cheap snags of

questionable providence. You don't need to be a Phd in cultural

sensitivity to realise that a lot of Asian students arent big drinkers,

and that they may not be so culinarilly inclined towards dodgy

sausages. Thankfully our situation as regards violence against foreign

students doesn't seem as bad here in Adelaide as in Melbourne, but

violence still occurs, and I'm sure many foreign students would have a

story to tell. As for the business side of it all, to me uni seems

increasingly resembles a degree factory, where foreign students are

transplanted for three or four years, only to return home without

really engaging with Australians or experiencing our rich culture. I

really think that is the great shame of it all, and I think that

universities are perfectly placed, and indeed obliged to fix this

problem. Well done Greg.

 

pesky of Melbourne10:59am June 04, 2009

I don't usually agree with Greg Sheridan, but on this issue he is

dead right! One of Victoria's unstated problems in recent years is the

huge increase in violent "street crime" generally, and the pathetic

inadequacy of both police and the courts to treat it with the

seriousness it deserves. The attacks on Indians in particular have at

last brought public attention to this escalating and wider problem.

Unfortunately the track record of Brumby and his Attorney-General Hulls

don't inspire confidence that anything other than spin will be

delivered from the State Government. For years Hulls has been

appointing his Legal Aid cronies to the judiciary with the consequence

that serious violent offenders (if they are caught)are given derisory

penalties and let straight back out onto the streets.

 

shalenjanapriti of melbourne 10:52am June 04, 2009

Australia's racist police and the white govt. will never never admit

that Indians have been racially attacked in this country.Australia's

dark secrets are all over the world.Australia stinks of racism and hate

crimes against Indians and other coloured people. Not only Indians in

this country are racially attacked, they are further exploited

financially. If you stay in melton, sunshine, footscray and other parts

of melbourne which are strong hold of the white extremist group then

only you'll realise the extreme nature of the problem and various forms

of torture the white extremeist groups use on Indians..

 

Protea of Moruya10:39am June 04, 2009

At last some sensible commentary (along with Jack the Insider) about

these horrible assaults. I am a life-long Labor voter but thought that

NSW had the record for spin and dishonesty. However the Victorian

Government's behaviour (including the Police Commissioner) on this

issue, and their reliance on decptive rhetoric and spin, is far, far

worse. They are a disgrace to Australia.

 

Emma of melbourne10:36am June 04, 2009

I agree and would also like to suggest that the schools that are

profiting so greatly from these students should be required to provide

support. Many of these students are attending privately owned

"colleges" or "institutes" in the CBD that most of us Aussies never

hear much of because 100% of the enrolments are international students.

These schools need to be more accountable for the safety of their own

students. For example, offering daytime classes instead of compulsory

night time only classes, helping with affordable accommodation in safer

areas and within reasonable commuting distances from the schools and

generally being flexible and accommodating to the needs of

international students. It was great that the Australian banker living

in Tokyo offered to pay for the parents of the recent screwdriver

stabbing victim to fly to Melbourne from India, but it would have been

better if the owners of that student's school had considered that

themselves.

 

Mick of Bilgola10:31am June 04, 2009

Typical Vic.police response-minimize the gravity of the situation,so

they don't have to concern themselves in any unusual way.The new

commissioner should now show his true worth. Difficult problem-the only

immediate answer is determined police action.To expect a quick cultural

change regarding appropriate behavior and underlying racism is asking

too much.