By Neeraj Nanda
Melbourne: The leader of opposition and Liberal leader Ted Baillieu today slammed the Brumby government over its handling of the attacks on Indian students. Mr. Belieu was addressing a select gathering to mark Australia Day and India’s Republic Day organised by the Australia India Business Council.
Mr. Ted Baillieu said that the law and order problem had become worse with record level of violence, racist behaviour and the decline of the international student market. Citing statistics, Mr. Baillieu said there was a collapse of law and order in Victoria with assault cases rising from 19,000 in 1999to 33 thousand in 2009. And added to this, he said, Victoria had the lowest per capita police in the country.
He slammed the Victorian Premier John Brumby for not acknowledging racism, violence and ensuring the safety of international students. This, he said, had given a unsafe and bad name to Victoria in the world.
The opposition leader also cited his experience with Melbourne taxi drivers who have been facing violence and racist behaviour for over four years.
Mr. Baillieu said, “ it was the worst thing to condemn the victim”, which he said, was an distraction of the real issue of violence and racist behaviour.
He then went on to criticise the Brumby government for its failure to acknowledge the problem instead of taking “swift, firm and decisive action” to curb violence, including attacks on Indian students.
“We have to curb the problem and the administration needs leadership”, he said.
The function was also addressed by Mr. Harish Rao, President Australia India Business Council.
