Safety of overseas students and Australian principle of equality

Comments on Luke Slattery “Education debacle to cost us badly”, 29/07/2009, http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25850835-5016677,00.html

It is not just the revenue but also what we Australians stand for are important and at stake. Yes overseas students generate revenue for our universities and contribute to our education exports. That is important and there is no question about it

However, what is even more important is what we Australians stand for. We are a nation and people proud of the principles of equality and egalitarian society. We are also proud of our human rights record. As such a nation, we should welcome other people coming to our country, no matter they are visiting, studying or permitted working. We should and must provide as safe an environment to our visitors as to ourselves.

We should treat them as equal and afford them with the decent human rights we so dearly cherish, love and defend. Only by doing that truthfully with our warm hearts, we can really be proud of ourselves as an equal society that is characterised by the equalitarian principle.

The attacks on Indian students are a reflection of some problems that needs not only close attention but also serious actions by governments, universities and the public at large. While those attacks have been made public, some much more serious incidents, including killings of overseas students and visitors have not received anywhere enough attention or reporting.

We must face them, confronting them and resolving them.