Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese on Tuesday called on Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and explained to him some of the contexts in which recent attacks on Indians had occurred in his country.
He told journalists after the 30-minute-long meeting that the Australian government was addressing the issue in a “serious and comprehensive” manner through making changes in education registration system and law enforcement measures.
He also informed the Chief Minister about the plans to expand the Chennai office of the Consulate General.
To a query whether Sri Lankan Tamils who were stranded between Indonesia and Australia would be granted the refugee status in Australia, Mr. Varghese replied that his country had a “very strong record” of accepting genuine refugees and offering protection consistent with international conventions. But, it was part of Australia's clear policy that there was a process for applying for the refugee status which needed to be observed and that the illegal entry into his country was something which no Australian government would be in a position to support.
