Australia not a racist country: Minister

‘Government taking all appropriate steps to curb violence'

Minister for Trade, Australia, Simon Crean addressing at a session on "Strengthening India-Australia Trade Relations", in New Delhi on Monday. Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

Asserting that the Australian government was taking all appropriate steps to curb violence against Indian students, Trade Minister Simon Crean on Monday said his country was not racist.

“We welcome the Indian students who come in huge numbers. We are offering quality education,” he told journalists on the sidelines of a seminar on ‘Strengthening India-Australia Trade Relations' organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry here.

Mr. Crean said violence was present in all countries, adding it got mitigated when appropriate steps were taken. “The government has added additional police at the places where these incidents are occurring and is also offering helplines and assistance to students on the campuses and online.”