The Hawke government in 1990 sold Mirage III fighters and ancillary equipment to Pakistan.

The Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs noted: "India and Pakistan have already fought two wars over Kashmir, a well-known and on-going flash-point between the two countries. The sale at this time indicates either a failure to understand - or an indifference to - regional sensitivities."

Selling arms to any of our neighbours increases regional tensions and decreases trust. At this time such sales are not subject to public review. There should be legislation requiring public scrutiny based on impact statements for such statements.

Senators Gary Gibson and John Woodley have introduced such legislation which has not been passed. I was advisor to Senator Woodley regarding the bill he introduced. For rebuilding trust with nations in the area such legislation should be passed.

I liked this balanced article because I have only seen friendship between Australians and Indians here in Australia. Although very different culturally, there are some strong similarities - especially among the educated of both societies. The next step is (unfortunately) the capture and punishment of the young brainless people responsible for some of the attacks.

I should also add that the author of the article should one day become an ambassador!

Liaqudin

A balanced and considered view from Mr Borah. His concern over violence shown to Indian or any other students is shared and deplored, as is their exploitation by quasi-education purveyors in Australia. The authorities in this country have a duty of care which must stamp out both, without delay.

On the other hand, government has a responsibility to ensure that those seeking an education in Australia are suitably qualified (including fluency in English) and come here with a view to completing their education and returning to their own country. It has to be said that this is not always the case.

Some overseas students come here to ‘study’ subjects of little or no use, either in Australia or their own countries. As Mr Borah points out, they often lack the basic language skills needed to undertake any serious study. Indeed it has been suggested that some overseas students come to Australia with the prime purpose of gaining entry and remaining in this country rather than completing relevant education.

The Australian government conducts an orderly program of immigration, largely based on satisfying the national interest and meeting its international obligations. It should not permit abuse of this program by those purporting to come to this country ostensibly in search of education and training then using this as a means of circumventing the immigration program. That too must be stopped.

A well balanced article.

If NSW and Vic police released, current, detailed crime statistics, providing ethnic origin of perpetrators and victims we might be able to have a productive discussion on whether Indian student are being targetted - more than anyone else who "looks different". But for political reasons police don't - so we are left with the anecdotal.

A coordinated effort by Departments of Education, Immigration and Consumer Affairs is needed to clean-up the academies that specialise in ripping off foreign students.

It begs the question "why are these academies only serving/exploiting foreign students"? What's the catch?

Are these academies overcharging in return exchange easier/permanent entry into Australia?

Does the government care? As foreign exchange and taxation is being skimmed off - at the end of the day (as they say).

Australia is going to become much more populated by immigrants from Asia. I must admit I favour educated, English (as a joint first language) speaking, Indians.

Pete
http://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2009/06/indian-student-protest-over-sydney.html

To the contrary, what is required is the teaching of bi-lingual programs and also something of those things left out of the history books.

What's a good example then?

How about a recently set of broadcasts by BBC Knowledge,which allege that during the time of the british raj (a.k.a. as the transplanted genocidal pom) in India that they did, in addition to crop stealing, and with the aid of El Nino, let starve in excess of:

30,000,000+ people of India.

These alleged facts to which I refer were broadcast as part of a documentary on the so called "race scientists."

Oh yes, the "white australia" policy got a mention too.

Mmmm ... right up there with the nazi efforts against gays, jews and the retarded I say, what?

..

So, the question is, have we come so far in the development of our society as to prevent these sorts of things from ever happening again?

..

I had a look at the Senator "Green" Bob Browny cases some time ago. In defence of 3 endangered species he went to court, won convincingly and had the activities of the defilers injuncted. Then, the forestry agreement was changed, the court decision appealed and the original facts re-examined in light of the new agreement. The original "agreement" was subsequently disregarded and the new law was used to penalise Bob retrospectively and harshly.

Point being, at least in terms of the legal sphere, our society has not developed very far at all.

Again, in Australia, you can do everything right, go to court, win, and then if it suits the whim of the prevailing political majority, new laws can be introduced, applied retrospectively and draconian punishment potentially delivered, e.g. potential bankruptcy by way of "wig parasite" fees and the loss of ones senate seat.

Of course, this was strongly protested by one notable High Court judge, but even that place seems no longer what it once temporarily was.

And they (the courts) demand that people stand before them - what a laugh - in my experience respect demanded is rarely sincerely given.

I don't know about India, but here in Indonesia Australia is judged in no insignificant way by the treatment of the Original People.

Suffice to say, when enslaved by the dutch the Indos and all other races here (Arab, Chinese) were controlled by race specific legislation e.g. an alleged child neglecter if black is income managed but if white, no worries mate.

More potential points for Mr Wudd to score if he so chooses ...