Oz Deputy PM promises safety of international students

Increased police protection, vigil on institutes with a foreign student population, a new legislation on refund of fees and annual dialogue with India are some of topics deputy prime minister of Australia Julia Gillard touched upon during a visit to Lady Shri Ram College on Monday.

The first woman and foreignborn deputy prime minister of Australia also reiterated the country’s zero tolerance towards racial attacks on students on its soil. She denied that the recent incidents had had an adverse effect on the number of students going to Australia for higher studies. During an interaction with LSR students, Gillard said a former member of the Australian parliament had been given the task of reviewing the situation and determine what more could be done to safeguard the interest of international students in Australia. ‘‘The state governments have geared up with police crackdowns. There are more police patrolling the areas where there have been problems. We are also recruiting more lawkeepers for security,’’ she said.

Gillard added that the Prime Minister was constantly working with state governments on the different aspects of students welfare. “We also have asked all education providers to re-register so as to safeguard student interest. Our government has asked a former member of parliament to conduct a review to see what more we can do to provide additional legislative protection for Indian students and other international students, including refund of fees,” she said.

In her speech, Gillard said apart from the two World Wars, IT revolutions and environmental issues, another remarkable development of the 20th century had been women’s emancipation and right to learn and work. She spoke about her family’s journey from UK to Australia and her political career. ‘‘My parents were determined to give us the opportunity they have been deprived of,” she said. Speaking on ‘Women in Leadership’ Gillard said women have come a long way to occupy prime positions in society.

Touching on the issue of good governance, Gillard said: ‘‘Good governance can really change lives and because it can, as tomorrow’s leaders you have the responsibility to support good governance. In Australia, 30% of all Australian parliamentarians are women. In Australian public service too, women account for 60% of the 160,000 employees.” Replying to a query, also reiterated Australia’s support for India’s candidature of a permanent membership at the Security Council of the United Nation.

Source: The Times of India