Australian High Commissioner assurance to Badal

The Australian High Commissioner in India, John McCarthy assured the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal of the safety and security of Indian students, including those from Punjab and reiterated that the safety of these international students was a first order priority for the Australian government.
   
In a letter to the Chief Minister, McCarthy said that the Australian government was appalled by the attacks against Indian students in Australia. He mentioned that even the Prime Minister of Australia Kevin Rudd had condemned these attacks in a statement to Parliament on June one, an official spokesman said here Monday.
   
The Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Victorian Premier had also issued statements condemning the attacks. McCarthy categorically said "Australia takes its reputation as a safe destination for internationals students seriously.
That is why police are energetically pursuing those responsible for these attacks. Charges have been laid and investigations are continuing. The culprits will face the full force of the law".
  
The Australian high Commissioner further informed Badal that Victorian authorities have established a hotline to assist Indian students with their concerned, staffed by people fluent in Hindi and English.