Melbourne: As India raised serious concern over the safety of its citizens Down Under, Australia on Tuesday announced setting up of a new Task Force headed by the National Security Adviser to deal with violence against Indian students in the country.
Foreign Minister Stephen Smith told Parliament that the government was doing everything it can to ensure the perpetrators of the attacks are "found and prosecuted."
Around seven Indian students were assaulted in the country in May which drew sharp reactions from fellow Indian students and the community and New Delhi. India summoned the Australian envoy in New Delhi last week and protested against the assault on students there.
Smith said a new Task Force has been formed to deal with violence against Indian students which will be chaired by National Security Adviser Duncan Lewis.
"The Task Force will include senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and trade, the Department of Education and Workplace relations, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and the Attorney-general's department," Smith said, adding that the Task Force had already held its first meeting.
"Through this Task Force the Australian government is showing its resolve to play its part in collaboration with states to respond to this issue," the Foreign Minister said.
Smith said Australia takes very seriously its reputation as a safe destination for international students. Commenting on the new initiatives launched by Australian government, Federation of Indian Student Association said "it was a welcome move and showed that the government was taking a serious note of the problem."
Indian students in Melbourne also highlighted the issue at a peaceful sit-in which ended in scuffles as it was broken by police on Monday.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Monday had assured India that perpetrators of the recent assaults on Indian citizens here will be met "with full force of the law".
He condemned the incidents as "senseless" and "deplorable" acts of violence.