Brumby briefs Indian commissioner on safety measures

Under pressure to check the attacks on Indians in Australia, Victorian Premier John Brumby met Indian High Commissioner to Australia Sujatha Singh and briefed her on the measures put in place to improve law and order and the safety of foreign students in the state.

Singh's meeting with Brumby on Sunday came ahead of her visit to New Delhi to brief the Indian government on the steps taken by Australia to prevent attacks on Indians, mainly in the state of Victoria.

During the meeting, issues relating to the security of the overseas students in Melbourne came up for discussion.

Brumby discussed the various steps taken by Victorian government to support international students in Melbourne and assured Singh that Victoria would continue to examine how best to further reduce the problems faced by students from India.

Victorian police chief Simon Overland, who was also present in the meeting, outlined the measures put in place to improve law and order in Melbourne and the safety and security of Indian students living there, an official statement said.

The meeting followed Brumby's request after Singh made stinging remarks against his government, saying Victoria was in "a state of denial". She warned that attacks on Indians in Australia would have long-term consequences unless effective actions were taken to prevent it.

Brumby requested for a meeting with Singh after she met Bryce complaining and criticising Victoria for falling behind NSW, Queensland and South Australia in tackling racist attacks.

Brumby had said that he would brief her on the progress that had been made, including boosting police patrols in high risk areas like railway stations and toughening up police powers to search for weapons.

"I'll be able to inform her of all of these things and again to reassure her that Victoria is a much safer place than other places in Australia and indeed around the world," Brumby had said.

 The top Indian diplomat met the premier along with Melbourne consul General Anita Nayar.             India has called Singh for consultations in the backdrop of continuing attacks on Indians in Australia.