Canberra, June 24: Facing flak for the recent spate of attacks on Indian students, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd today vowed to provide “maximum” security to foreigners pursuing education in this country.
“Any assault against any person or any visitor to Australia or any international student is one assault too many,” Rudd told a visiting Indian media delegation here.
Quizzed over the 16 incidents of brutal attacks on Indian youths in less than a month, including two on Monday, that affected Australia’s image as an anti-racist nation, Rudd pledged to provide “maximum safety” to foreign students.
“Let’s be realistic. Obviously there has been a very large reaction to this (attacks) in India. Let’s just call facts for what they are,” he was quoted as saying by a leading private news channel.
Rudd said Australia is “very sensitive” to the well-being of any international student in the country.
—Agencies