IANS

New Delhi, Aug 31: The Australian government would ensure that student victims of racist attacks either get a seat in a different college or are refunded the entire college fee, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard said here Monday.

Gillard, who is on a five-day visit to India, was interacting with students of the Lady Shri Ram College.

Replying to a student's query on what that country's government was doing to prevent racist attacks, Gillard said: "The Australian government clearly says that we have zero tolerance towards violence against any student or people living in Australia".

The Australian deputy prime minister said that police force had been deployed at places where incidents have taken place in the past.

"The freshly formed government has put in more resources to ensure the safety of students. If a student faces a problem of racism today we would guarantee him or her a seat in another college or the entire fee will be refunded," she said.

Over the last three months there have been several alleged racist attacks on Indian students in Australia, which prompted Indian External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna to make a five-day trip to Australia last month.

"As a national government, we are working with the state government to provide quality education to all Indian students. After my visit here, there will be a roundtable with foreign students on difficulties faced by them," Gillard said.

Gillard said after her India visit, there will be an annual ministerial dialogue and partnership programme between Indian and Australian universities.