Admit and capitalise : dealing with restiveness over migrant attacks

Finally, one brave soul has stood up to break the deadlock of trading accusations of racism and denials of responsibility over attacks on ethnic Indians.

Former chief of the defence force, Peter Cosgrove in the the 14th annual Australia Day Address said :

''I sense in relation to the spate of attacks on largely Indian people in Melbourne and elsewhere, Australians are very concerned and disinclined to downplay - much less dismiss - the potential racist elements in what is becoming a litany of criminality.''

He said Australia could not look at higher rates of violence in India as an excuse for violence here. The only way to repair Australia's reputation was to apprehend and rigorously prosecute the people responsible.

Also in the speech, titled Sunshine and Shade: the triumphs and tribulations of Australia in our time, he asserted elements of the Muslim community had been estranged from the mainstream for more than 20 years.

The country should engage with the Islamic community and remember former instances of immigration in which the country had remained ''intact and remarkably unified''.

Excerpts from :
http://www.smh.com.au/national/criminals-preying-on-indians-cosgrove-20100119-mj6m.html

Both India and Australia have so far shown a sheer lack of competence and diplomacy in dealing with the consistent and rising spate of attacks on Indian migrants in Australia. Denials by the Australian police and Deputy PM that these attacks could be remotely linked to racism were not helpful in addressing concerns. On the other hand, the hardline responses from the Indian politicians and extremist groups is a reflects poorly of any sobriety and resolve to mitigate bilateral strains.

Indeed, there is no excuse for intolerance. The United Nations has denounced the use of the term "visible minorities" by the Canadian government and media as racism. Majority of Australians are warm, friendly, helpful, progressive and tolerant. But that does not mean that we have the luxury to be smug because diehard and closet racists would exploit opportunities to flare up. Violence under any circumstances cannot be justified or tolerated in a modern civil society.

Nevertheless, Cosgrove merely covered half the story. Suffice to say, in his attempt to project political correctness, there's another grim side. Yet to be determined are ills linked to influx of criminal, loafing, anti-social tendencies. It is high time to tighten dubious fly by night colleges who exploited foreign students and slackening standards which led to the deluge of migrants who are ill equipped for challenges of their new home.

While the Australian government should not pander to agitation by bigots in the likes of Pauline Hanson to halt immigration on cultural grounds, neither should it adopt an undiscerning open door policy. Australia is a beautiful and great place, one that is a coveted destination of migrants from all over the world. We could well afford to be selective and smarter accepting only those who contribute favourably to the country and weed out those who are likely to spawn onerous social problems in the long term.

However, no one is above the law regardless of whether they Australian born, new or old migrants. Australians of all shades and hues who stereotype and resort to violence to settle personal grievances are criminals who must face the consequences and severe punishment.