Of Royal Commissions, Honesty and Victoria

Read this story on
http://www.theage.com.au/national/fury-over-brumbys-comment-on-williams-20100421-szz7.html

Not surprisingly Brumby plays down truth for political purposes. Well migrants are used to Brumby playing down truth and now every Victoria is getting used to institutionalized neglect. When Brumby has refused to call for a Royal Commission into attacks on Indian student how can we expect a royal commission now?

Well news for Brumby, students who died were innocent.
BTW, one issue always surprises me – why haven't the opposition used their numbers in Upper house to call for a Royal Commission into student attacks? We know Brumby has to defend a Government action what is the Opposition defending?


Fury over Brumby's comment on Williams
Sarah-Jane Collins and Reid Sexton
April 22, 2010 - 3:00AM
PREMIER John Brumby has been accused of deliberately playing down the murder of Carl Williams for political purposes, and of allowing corruption to flourish in Victoria.
The claims came after Mr Brumby yesterday dismissed calls for a judicial inquiry or royal commission into the murder, arguing that Williams was a "serial killer" and that a royal commission on his death was unnecessary.
Williams' solicitor, Rob Stary, accused the Premier of putting politics first and ignoring the possibility of police corruption in the case. "That's precisely the sort of response you would expect from someone who through their stewardship has seen this level of corruption flourish," Mr Stary said.
The comments came as Victoria Police yesterday launched a specialist taskforce to investigate whether corrupt officers played a role in Williams' death.
It was the fourth probe to be announced since Williams was bashed to death on Monday in the high-security Acacia unit of Barwon Prison. Other inquiries are being done by police, the coroner and the Office of Correctional Services Review. The Office of Police Integrity is also overseeing the police inquiries.
Responding to calls for a judicial probe or royal commission, Mr Brumby said: "To be honest, what occurred in the prison was obviously unacceptable, but the person concerned was a serial killer.
"I think it would be quite unnecessary and a quite inappropriate use of taxpayers' money to have a royal commission. The three inquiries are there, I think they're more than enough to do the job."
Mr Stary said it made no difference whether Williams was a killer. "Once you start personalising things like that and you say Mr Williams is an unworthy person therefore what's occurred to him requires some sort of scant response, you miss the real issue."
He said Mr Brumby was playing politics. "That's what you'd expect a politician to do ... It's disappointing, to be honest. I've got a fair bit of respect for the Premier, but I think it's an ill-advised comment."
Liberty Victoria president Michael Pearce, SC, said he was surprised. "If the Premier is suggesting that there ought not to be a full inquiry because Carl Williams is a serial killer, that's a sentiment that I can't agree with. It sounds out of character, but it's very unfortunate."
Mr Pearce said the murder of any person in custody, regardless of their personal history, was concerning. "The public are entitled to know the full story about what happened and how it happened and the public's right to know that is not in any way affected by the status of the person who was murdered."
Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu renewed his calls for an independent anti-corruption commission, saying Williams' death raised questions. "I do have reservations, certainly about Corrections Victoria investigating itself," he said.
Mr Baillieu said the OPI's involvement in the case raised questions about the motives behind the murder.
"The only conclusion that Victorians can draw is that there's something else going on that Victorians don't know about. All of that would suggest that some other investigation is necessary."
He said it did not matter who Williams was. "John Brumby's dismissal of any need to further consider an independent inquiry shows he is not interested in uncovering the truth."
Responding last night, a spokeswoman for the Premier said: "Victoria already has strong powers through Victoria Police and the OPI to conduct an investigation".
Meanwhile, police launched "Operation Driver" to investigate the Williams killing "beyond the immediate facts", possibly targeting corrupt police and prison officers. It will be headed by Superintendent Doug Fryer of the drug taskforce and will work with the homicide squad.
Deputy commissioner Sir Ken Jones said the taskforce would investigate all possibilities, including if corrupt police had wanted Williams dead.
The prison workers' union yesterday rejected claims that guards delayed helping Williams as he lay dying, saying they had followed all procedures.
Community and Public Sector Union spokesman Julian Kennelly said: "The union is disgusted that crime scene information can so easily be put into the public domain to misrepresent the facts."
Corrections Victoria commissioner Bob Hastings would not comment on the alleged delay but said his staff had done the best they could.
This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/national/fury-over-brumbys-comment-on-williams-20100421-szz7.html

Response to a biased and factually incorrect TOI Article

Response/Concerns


I doubt if the reporter has done any research on social life in Australia or even in India. I don't think that it is acceptable for any unwanted/uninvited guest to enter into any house without permission. It is called trespassing and is punishable by law.


The question that has to be asked is - did the Police or authorities apply the full force of law?


This style of reporting clearly smells of bias, anyone can have a drink or party at home. It is part of basic human right. But what is unacceptable is anyone breaching someone's privacy and dignity.


I have personally met Shravan and all his friends. They all came from a very decent and good family. They were socialising within friends and as stipulated there were no 'free flowing liquor' or 'indian girls' at the party. It was decent get-together as reported to me on the day of the incident.


I was personally with them for the first week when none of the named distinguished people even bothered to support the suffering students. In fact the Indian Consulate people came, after 4 days, after the issue was carried diligently by the Indian media.


The reporter actually missed the facts again. The gathering outside the Parliament was actually a peace walk organised when Victorian Government refused to even acknowledge the increasing attacks against people of Indian origin. By Police's own admission there were approximately 3 to 4 reported incidents against Indians and Indians were 3 to 4 times more likely to be victims of attack.


The idea was to get attention in a peaceful way which will also give people a way to vent their frustration. The peace walk was the protest of the silent majority.


Contrary to the reporter's observation there were thousands of people in the walk. No stones were thrown at the Parliament House. In fact, Shravan's room-mates, friends and well-wishers finished the rally by lighting candles on the footsteps of Parliament.


I would challenge the reporter to show any gathering of thousands of angry young people that ends so peacefully.


People on their way to the station were enticed by rabble-rousers. In fact, I personally worked with the Chief Commissioner of Police to try to diffuse the crowd. A fact that was substantiated by him at the time. I am sure a simple phone call to him will clarify the reality on who was helping.


For record, I am not aligned to any political party and I definitely do not hold any extremist view point.

This reporter made no attempts to contact me. In fact I was contacted by three staff from TOI during the last 4 days, including Shobhan Saxena Senior Asst Editor (Sunday Times). We spoke on the phone atleast 3 times and exchanged a number of emails. How come only this reporter failed?


For record, I am not a Cardiologist.


It also seems that the reporter has only met with people with a certain viewpoint. I think the reporter would have done justice by mentioning that the Indian associations they are talking about is headed by an Education Agent. A declaration of conflict of interest generally is indication of an accountable reporting. Did the reporter ask if the people named in his report have not made profit from student migration either by way of earning commissions or migration work?


The implication that people from other countries are not concerned about crimes and discrimination again shows the lack of knowledge and professionalism in reporting. In fact Government of China had issued a number of warnings to Government of Australia even before Government of India did anything. Testament to the fact that crimes against Indians is a serious problem is the fact the United Nations Human Rights Commission has asked Australia to present a report on such attacks to the United Nations.


Let us not rile the memories of young men and women of India who have lost their future and in some cases their lives in seeking a better future. There is nothing wrong in people seeking better future. I think these young Indians - where ever they are from - deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.


They are hard-working people and are sons and daughters of hard working parents. What we should be worried about and writing and exposing are the 40% college operators and education agents who are nothing more than scam agents hurting Australia and India and their good citizens.


 

Excerpts from TOI article here.

Liquor, much like loud music and laughter, flowed freely at the party. On such occasions, it is not unusual for uninvited guests to join in the revelry. When two young, white gatecrashers rang the doorbell, the Indians welcomed them with open arms. But soon the booze began to take its toll. Hot words were exchanged when the whites made passes at Indian girls. They were shown the door.
 

Pasted from <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/special-report/Oz-us-A-banged-up-equation/articleshow/5826770.cms>


 
Even as Shravan Kumar struggled for his life in the hospital, a small group of left-wing radicals, both Indian and Australian, staged a demonstration outside the Victoria state Parliament House. They shouted angry slogans, pelted a few stones and bricks, broke some windows. From the sidelines, half a dozen or so members of the Australian Socialist Party, a fringe group, made provocative speeches. Among the rabble-rousers, according to a witness, was an Indian, Gautam Gupta, a failed businessman and a jobless cardiologist who over the years had fancied himself as an avatar of Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. (Efforts to reach Gupta bore no fruit.) By sunset, the police had dispersed the demonstrators. Along the way however they, and especially the firebrand Gupta, attracted a huge amount of attention in the national media. And that coverage in turn got the Indian media all worked up.


 
Pasted from <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/special-report/Oz-us-A-banged-up-equation/articleshow/5826770.cms>


 
Indian community associations are making a valiant effort to come to the rescue of students duped into coming to the country. They are lobbying the government to strengthen security for Indians and to come down hard on the perpetrators of violence. The Indian consulate, too, is straining every nerve to assist them. But it is woefully understaffed. All the same, the leaders — including high-profile ones like Vasan Srinivasan, who very nearly got elected to the Victoria parliament; Vernon da Gama, a hugely sought-after solicitor and Ravi Bhatia, the suave and highly admired CEO of a telecom company — are unanimous in their belief that the issue at stake in the spate of attacks on Indians is not so much racism as a question of maintaining order and enforcing the law.


 
They repeat that the Indian media's charges of racism quite correctly rile the Australians. This, in turn, tarnishes the entire Indian diaspora, most of whose members are successful professionals and adds strains and stresses to the India-Australia bilateral relationship. I asked the community leaders why Indians were targeted and not students from other countries. One reason, I was told, is that most of the other students come from good social backgrounds. They have a working knowledge of English and have the necessary funds to pay for their education.


 
Pasted from <http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/sunday-toi/special-report/Oz-us-A-banged-up-equation/articleshow/5826770.cms>

Australian attitudes ranks India poorly

A recent survey says Australians have a negative attitude to some of our nearest neighbours. Out of ten countries, Indonesia and India, along with Israel, score the worst.


Presenter: Matt Abud
Speakers: John Utting, UMR Research; Gautam Gupta, Indian Students Federation of Australia spokesman; Alison Carroll, Asia Link

• Listen:
  Windows Media
  

I am always surprised at such outcomes not because the outcomes are unexpected, but because both the Governments – Indian and Australian, are lacking a will to do anything about it. I believe the attacks are a result of such attitudes and not enough has been done to change this attitude.

It is high time that both the countries start seeing each other as more than mere trading partners.

How to kill a campaign – Lessons from Victoria

Read this story of Mrs Jan Beer. She was tracked and spied upon by the government agencies empowered to protect and serve us. I am concerned at the lows that we have reached in this state. This state has actually become a nanny state where honest citizens are being subjected to bullying and ridicule as part of controlling the public opinion.

The Government solution is draconian and reflects social hegemony - threaten the campaigner to kill the campaign.

I would request readers to please suggest which department would be keeping secret dossiers about me. The natural choice will be Victoria Police, Department of Premier or Education in partnership with Educational institutions and agents.

This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/pipeline-critic-spied-on-tailed-20100410-rzy2.html

Pipeline critic spied on, tailed

Melissa Fyfe
April 11, 2010 - 3:00AM

THE extent of the Brumby government's monitoring of protesters has been revealed for the first time, with previously secret documents showing a key north-south pipeline critic was spied on, filmed, photographed and tailed while driving.

Her activities were tracked, noted and shared with the police over two years.

The state's Privacy Commissioner is investigating the government's extensive monitoring of Jan Beer, 62, a Yea farmer and Plug the Pipe spokeswoman.

Civil libertarians say privacy laws have been broken and the documents show the government has stepped on basic rights in its efforts to protect major projects from lawful protests.

Using freedom-of-information laws, Mrs Beer asked Melbourne Water to release all information held about her. Melbourne Water, the government entity behind the construction of the controversial pipeline designed to deliver extra water to the city, identified more than 600 pages of material in 102 documents. It recently released 88 of the documents to Mrs Beer.

The information in the documents - mostly monthly, weekly and incident reports shared between the water authority and its three private construction partners in the Sugarloaf Pipeline Alliance - was collected by private security officers and government pipeline workers. The notes record Mrs Beer's activities not only near pipeline sites, but also elsewhere, such as at a local wetland where she gave a talk to students last year.

The documents frequently note that her ''activities will continue to be monitored'' and that the information was shared with Victoria Police and even the force's Security Intelligence Group, the division that does counterterrorism work. The released material included photographs and about 35 minutes of video footage of Mrs Beer at protests.

In one of the documents, an Alliance worker records following Mrs Beer along the Melba Highway as the Yea farmer inspected the pipeline route. Mrs Beer's newspaper letters, talkback calls and media comments are also documented.

Most notes taken about Mrs Beer do not accuse her of illegal behaviour - except for her arrest, with eight others, for trespass and obstruction, at a 2008 protest. The charges never reached court.

The documents released to Mrs Beer also reveal a new level of government media monitoring, with the Alliance paying a company $17,500 to analyse whether print coverage was favourable and to observe the coverage of ''standout publications'' and ''standout journalists''. The names of the publications and journalists had been deleted.

Liberty Victoria president Michael Pearce, SC, said it appeared Melbourne Water had breached privacy laws as it was not allowed to collect information about Mrs Beer without evidence she was planning an unlawful act. ''These people don't have a general right to spy on people who are opposed to what they are doing. This is a return to the bad old days of the Special Branch and ASIO snoops everywhere.''

Anthony Bendall, deputy commissioner at Privacy Victoria, would not comment on the specific case, but told The Sunday Age that the law says a government entity must give reasonable notice to a person that it was collecting information about them; must tell them why they are collecting the information, and how they will use it.

Mrs Beer says Melbourne Water never told her about the monitoring. ''If it was any other individual collecting this sort of information on me … they would in all likelihood be charged with harassment and stalking.''

But Melbourne Water insists it did not breach privacy laws and was monitoring protesters under the Water Act, which allows for ''reasonable measures'' to stop the obstruction of infrastructure. A spokesman said the monitoring had nothing to do with the controversial Memorandum of Understanding the Alliance signed with Victoria Police. The MOU has not been released but, if it is similar to the desalination MOU, would provide for the public and private parties to gather intelligence on protesters and share it with police.

Refusing to comment on Mrs Beer, Melbourne Water and the government said monitoring was necessary because the construction sites were numerous, potentially dangerous and subject to many threats and incidents.

Government spokesman Luke Enright said: ''Pipeline opponents threatened to blow up the pipe, physically intimated, abused and swerved their cars at pipeline workers and in one instance threw a Molotov cocktail at the site, so monitoring them when they were seen around the pipe was more than justified.''

Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu said the government had become paranoid. ''These revelations confirm many of our worst fears that the Brumby government is engaged in spying and harassment of opponents.''

India and Australia sign education cooperation deal

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/201004/s2868388.htm


Updated April 9, 2010 11:02:08

Australia and India have signed an agreement to boost cooperation in the education sector. The agreement was signed in Melbourne between Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Julia Gillard and India's Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal. India and Australia have identified "the safety and wellbeing of students" as a matter of "high priority" in the bilateral efforts to build a broad partnership. It comes after a spate of attacks on Indian students in Melbourne strained relations between the two countries.

Presenter: Stephanie March
Speakers: Julia Gillard, Australia's Education Minister; Kapil Sibal, India's Human Resource Development Minister; Gautam Gupta, spokesman for the Federation of Indian Students of Australia 

Listen: Windows Media


MARCH: It is important agreement for what Australia's Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard says is an important sector.

GILLARD: There is nothing more important to links between nations than links on education because they grow people to people links and understanding.

MARCH: Ms Gillard says the joint ministerial statement signed by herself and India's Minister for Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal is aimed at deepening educational ties and setting up a joint council to look at education related issues between the two countries. While the statement didn't out line many details about how the two countries will collaborate, the offer of training possibilities for Indian teachers comes amid a massive overhaul of the country's education sector. India's government earlier this month enacted the Right to Education act. It brings India in line with 130 other nations that guarantee the government will provide free and compulsory schooling to primary age children. Minister Sibal says implementing the act however will mean training up to 800-thousand teachers.

SIBAL: We have a shortfall, but that shortfall will be filled up by people who may not have the qualifications to date but will have to acquire them in the next five years.

MARCH: The Indian government is also trying to expand its own higher education sector. At the moment, only 12.4 per cent of students eligible to pursue higher education are able to find places at Indian universities and colleges.

SIBAL: And the challenge is to increase to gross enrolment ratio from 12.4 to 30 percent by 2020 which means increasing this 20 million to around 60 million. So 40 more million children will go to college by 2020.

MARCH: That means setting up around 800 new universities and 50,000 colleges.

SIBAL: We can't do it on our own, no government can do it on it's own. So we need collaborations with other governments, we need collaborations with foreign education providers, with industry at home. It is in that context we are reaching out to the rest of the world and saying here is an opportunity.

MARCH: India's education problems extend far beyond its own borders. Indian students studying in Australia have been subject to violent attacks and found themselves falling victim to problematic education providers who have been unable to give students the services they pay for. The attacks prompted the Indian government to issue a travel advisory warning students against coming to Australia. Despite the spirit of cooperation on show at the agreement signing ceremony in Melbourne, Minister Sibal wouldn't be drawn on wether or not that advisory remains in place.

SIBAL: As far as the advisory it was given in Feburary, students are still coming to Australia, and we have not prevented them to coming to Australia, right? So we do believe both sides cognisant of the problems Indian students are facing. I think the Australian government is taking strong steps in that direction to prevent those things happening.

MARCH: It's on this issue of student safety and education quality that some industry groups say the agreement doesn't go far enough. Gautam Gupta is the spokesman for the Federation of Indian Students of Australia.

GUPTA: "As an Australian I think it's a great agreement. For Australia it is good. It is good for Australian economy. From an Indian point of view I think they should have... Indian government should have asked for more safety and safeguards for their students in Australia. Safety from fear and safety from fraud."

Where the bloody hell are you – Victoria police

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/video-posted-on-youtube-apparently-shows-louts-running-amok-on-bus/story-e6frf7jo-1225850104271

Imagine if there was an Indian, Chinese or African travelling on the same bus….

C'mon Simon, show some guts and ask these louts to keep a low volume. Stop insulting Victoria by promoting it as a nanny state by blaming the victims. Catch some crims mate.

 

Christmas and Crime in 2009

The incident as reported to me by the victim (Mr J):

The student was going for an interview at a Hotel as part of his work experience of the course. As part of cookery they are supposed to work in kitchen and apparently he was trying to get some sort of placement. As he was entering the premises, a group of people were coming out and before he could enter they came out and started abusing him and pushing him. They asked him to apologise and get out of their way. He refused and said he was here for an interview. It seems that the other guys were drunk and jumped on him. Heavily outnumbered he could not defend himself and he got a broken jaw alongwith other facial bruises.

I received a phone call on 25 Dec from J's elder brother from India about this incident. He said his brother J was admitted to St Vincent's Hospital and this is where I met him first on 25 Dec and then on 26 Dec. He was the second victim I met on 25 Dec and third for the 26^th. (So now people know why I could not reply to everyone's wishes although I wanted to).

On 26^th he was discharged and I went to see him at his Footscray house. There I had a detailed discussion with him and he was very upset at the system. How the Police were not very interested in his case, how lonely he felt that day, how he wanted to hit back etc. etc… He was joined by about 5-6 of his friends all in twenties, all very curious, frustrated and helpless to help their mate.

Anyways, despite all the emotions they offered me something to drink. Someone got me a can of Solo. I think that was my first drink for the day.

I explained to him the routine and some of the possible avenues where he can get help. Like always, I advised him to call the Indian Consulate and update them with his story so that they are aware of the incident. He called the consulate while I was chatting with his friends. I heard their story and issues. Most of them were having doubts about their future in Australia due to uncertain rules, crime, high migrant unemployment and just the frustration of being without parents.

J came back and explained his discussion. He explained that they took his details and asked him to call back if he needs any help. He was surprised at the coldness with which the Indian consulate addressed his issue. I explained to him the high volume of calls they would be receiving and the fact that they are heavily under-resourced. I also asked him to not forget to thank them as they atleast picked his call on 26^th Dec. Which other person or department will do that? Anyways, I did my best to calm him but he was too anxious and tired due to all the stress of constantly talking to his parents, getting treatment and the perceived absent justice.

His friends and I finally convinced him to take a nap. I spoke and assured his family in India that he is alright and that we are here to take care now. We agreed to talk in another hour or so to revisit the strategy hereon. Amongst his friends was a very quiet guy Mr P. He did not speak much till that time. He asked if I wanted something to drink and he spoke again only now after about an hour. He said that what he has observed till date is everyone trying to put the solution or problem back to J except me. He asked me about the resources and support we can provide on an ongoing basis. I explained the structure of FISA and how we have been targeted by Victorian Government and the lack of funds. He said that how come no other department or organisation comes forward to meet victims but they always hear and see us only although we don't get any support?

Like always I asked them to ask the Governments of India and Victoria. For now that is what we have and I can only guide and support as an individual which I always do and always will.

He enquired about joining FISA as a volunteer. Since that day, he actually became a very powerful force in FISA till January and had a strong influence on Jan outcomes. More on his involvement later.

Moving on we discussed the involvement of media and how media is helping us shed light on the broken system. I had to go to meet other victim but left them with my opinion and media contacts. I asked them to call me after 1pm. It seems J woke up and spoke to someone in Indian media by afternoon. (I was later informed that J's elder brother called his local newspaper and got my contact details from Indian media as the contact point for assistance.) P updated me and I asked them for either a video recording for my record of the incident or to just show me the medical (discharge) report. J wasn't sure and I asked him that if I am not 100% certain I will not make any statement in the media. It was not that I doubted him but I have learnt from mistakes and this is the process now.

Due to lack of time, I asked him to think over it and let me know. I had already provided them with some contacts and it was for them to contact them if they wanted to. His family called me and asked me why I doubted their son and I repeated the same story, which luckily they understood. They were very gracious, showered me with blessings and thanks.

I reached home after 10pm and continued to receive calls right into midnight from the Indian and Australian media. I maintained my silence on this incident.

I shared with Anu wishes of the J family. Their words (said in Punjabi) meant 'I wish there were more sons and daughters like you who would really spread the light and have peace in helping others'.

I had a memorable and emotionally draining but spiritually satisfying Christmas in 2009. If I have it my way, I would repeat last year's Christmas celebrations into 2010 this time with Anya. I hope we have less crime and fraud by 2010 Christmas.

Victoria will win

That's the Herald Sun editorial on Liberal announcement today.

Read here:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/editorials/law-and-order-a-poll-winner/story-e6frfhqo-1225850083861

Herald sun has done a wonderful job in keeping the Government in check on the increasing crime. The Brumby government is finding it hard to hide behind spin on this front now; it is largely due to good journalism on this issue. In this debate whoever loses, Victoria will win and will be a better place to live.

However, on the political front, not all is lost for Labor yet. In fact I think by acknowledging his mistakes, Brumby has opened a side-door for himself and his government and this is where Brumby can make a difference. He can still flip and announce more numbers by saying that he has listened to his voters as he promised after the Altona bye election.

For once, Brumby must do a Rudd and invite the opposition to work constructively with the government. I suggested it to various Government Advisors and also publicly invited them to host a bipartisan meeting to solve the issue of street crime on four different occasions in the last sixteen months – which they refused. They must start focussing on improving their Governance rather than enjoy a weak opposition.

The question is – Is the Government really listening?

Slumdog Millionaire or Millionaire Slumdog?

On 25 March, FISA received an email from Hari Har. He expressed concerns at comments made by Cr Dilip Chopra of Hornsby. 

You can read Cr Chopra's opinions here - http://digitaledition.hornsbyadvocate.com.au/default.aspx?iid=34644&startpage=page0000018

Some of his opinions are:

1. First Indian-born councillor in Australia
   
2. The attacks on Indians were not racist
   
3. Wealthy Indians are bringing it on themselves
   
4. Getting a change using big value notes such as $100 for small items is enough to get Indians in trouble
   
5. He, via UIA advises Indian students to 'lie low and be judicious in showing off'
   
6. There are people who are Jealous of Indians and not lying low will espouse increased jealousy
   
7. They (Indian students I assume) crowd rail carriages, are coarse and sing songs
   

Cr Chopra is a Councillor with City of Hornsby and also the Vice President of United India Associations (UIA). This raises a couple of questions:

1. Is the opinion expressed that of his own?
   
2. Of the council, and/or
   
3. United India Associations (UIA)
   
4. What influence will such opinions have on Local and State Government planning
   
5. What message is being carried to the local electorate
   

Any opinion is welcome in a democracy and should be celebrated. But what about statements that literally sentence a whole community to ridicule? Cr Chopra has joined a list of Australian ruling elite that believes in blaming the victim – especially if they are coloured migrants.

Let me ask some questions directly to Mr Chopra

1. Can you name and give details of just ten victims that were attacked who came to you?
   
2. Can you name ten victims whom you have helped?
   
3. Do you know any victim who went out singing in the train and got bashed because of that?
   
4. How many times have you travelled by train in peak time? Do you know how crowded the trains are? So a couple of Indians travelling together is annoying you?
   
5. Do you know any students who got bashed because they got the wrong change?
   
6. BTW, is there a better store to get change than McDonald's? Maybe we didn't know that McDonald's has too many thugs as their patron ;)
   
7. Can you define 'lie low'?
   
8. Can you tell anything positive about being an Indian? Or the young Indians are just plain bad – either they are rich and show-off or they are poor and live in poor suburbs.
   

One can only be baffled by this attitude and contempt for battlers by such elite. Why will these people blame struggling Indian students? Or is it that these people are whetting their inspirations grabbing an award by bagging the migrant or their culture? Or is it just their attempt to assimilate with the society? Or maybe that India is a training ground for Slumdog Millionaire's and Australia is now a training-ground for Millionaire Slumdogs.

As part of a global marketing campaign, Tourism Australia is asking Australians to upload photos of their favourite holiday spot and explain in 25 words why ''there is nothing like Australia''. Based on Cr Chopra's opinion here are my 25 words:

Everyone's welcome - as long as they bring tons of cash yet look poor, don't look different and be gracious when they get bashed or cheated.

I think time is right for people to rise above shallow self-serving politics. It is not easy to maintain one's identity. I am sure Cr Chopra and their elite mate's will have their own pressures. But I believe if one stands for their beliefs and identity, eventually the success will be sweeter. It may take a couple more years to be elected for who you are but it is possible.

Sometimes I feel we need a good representative, a champion for our cause and that champion need not be an Indian. I rather be represented by likes of

• Prof Kevin Dunn or Prof Hurriyet Babacan who did an honest research on racism in employment;
  
• Ken Latta, CEO or Dalal Smiley, Diversity Manager of MFB who fought for diversity in MFB;
  
• Mick Gooda, Aboriginal Social Justice Commissioner;
  
• Cr Tim Laurence Singh, Former Mayor, City of Darebin – who has taken the lead on justice for all and has directly helped atleast 80 victims in the past year;
  

rather than someone who's mere presence makes it more difficult for the newly emerging community to get a fair representation.

Breaking barriers - the move for equality

How many incidents does one have to live through to acknowledge the existence of institutional racism in Australia? It has become such a huge issue that many migrant groups are now more scared of the public institutions such as Police when compared to street criminals.

This fear is leading to many more problems including under-reporting, non-cooperation and DIY at times.

But let us not forget the brave men and women of Australia that have taken a stand against this issue. These fighters for justice come in many colour, shape and sizes. These are the people that are preventing a repeat of the past where Australia adopted a 'White Australia' policy in response to the rising 'yellow peril'. (Yellow - Chinese)

Read this link, http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/mfb-drops-ethnic-mix-legal-push-20100331-revt.html
It is disappointing to see such a common-sense approach being challenged and quashed by the Unions. The most hurtful part being an increase in migrants being equated with lowering of standards!!! Do these guys know that there are fire-fighters in almost all countries including China, Malaysia and India?

However where were institutions such as Victoria Multicultural Commission? Shouldn't they be brave and independent and promoting equity across all services? Oh well, we know that they are hardly independent of interference and control from the Premiere's own department.

The State Opposition is pretty dud in Victoria. They are waiting on sidelines for government to fall on their own. I say, tough luck. I believe Victorians are unlucky to have such a brady bunch of politicians on all sides, but are not that keen to change their votes if they don't see a real alternative.  

Despite the setback let us not forget to stand and salute the warriors who have taken a risk. It is not about losing but about fighting; it is about acknowledging and cheering the soldiers. MFB chief executive Ken Latta and Dalal Smiley, Diversity Manager of MFB deserve that. What brave people to stand up for the rest of us in all that heat.

Ken Latta and Dalal Smiley, you are not alone and thank you for fighting for us. You make us proud.

To Blog or not?

I have been thinking about getting into the blogging sphere since the past couple of months. I guess i am not alone. I join the millions who have taken up blogging and the am also with the significant others who are still thinking.

In my case, I sometimes get concerned with people take things out of context and make them sound different to what it is intended for. How will people respond to my blogs? Will we start another hysterical competition of wits.

Take the example of the topic of Uranium sales to India. Australia is clearly divided on this issue and rightly so. It is an important issue and the can have long term consequences for the future of many nations. many people have come out openly to support or oppose the sales to India. Their opinion have been taken as their opinion and that is it. But when I suggested my opinion, people started blaming me personally. I was blamed for being an agent for the Indian Uranium lobby.

By the way, I do believe that it is in Australia and India's long term interest to treat each other with respect and trust. If Australia is serious about India being its strategic partner than the first step is having trust. Let us not forget that India is Australia's fourth largest trading partner and the fastest growing.

I will encourage you all to listen to Dr Lavina Lee's presentation at the Sydney Institute. Here is the link http://www.thesydneyinstitutepodcast.com/2010/03/04/LavinaLeeWhyAustraliaShouldSellUraniumToIndia.aspx

I am over procastination and will take on the fight with the systemic greed, corruption and stupidity. Hereon I am going to publish a lot of my thoughts, research and inspirations. Feel free to add your comments.