Melbourne: An Australian opposition leader has criticised the Victoria government for allegedly failing to tackle the racist attacks on Indians saying "this has brought bad name to the state globally".
"Victoria has a serious and increasing problem with racist attacks on Indian students, but the state government is in denial and blaming the victims. Many of the assaults were
the result of `racist violence` but Premier John Brumby had failed to confront the issue," leader of opposition Ted Baillieu said at a gathering of Australian and Indian business
leaders last night.
He also condemned the advice of state top cop Simon Overland to Indians to "dress poor" in a bid to avoid attacks. Baillieu alleged that the problem of racial violence was allowed to escalate with government providing excuses that brought international condemnation.
"... this government`s continued attempt to blame the victim by suggesting he or she had brought it upon themselves through their conduct or the provocative carrying of iPods,
computers and other such nonsense," he said, adding now there were extraordinary suggestions.
They were more akin to suggestions the Australian Government might issue to our own travellers travelling in dangerous areas, he added.
PTI
