Australia says it has 'no tolerance' for racial violence

Under fire over the spate of attacks on Indian students, Australian government on Wednesday insisted that it had "no tolerance" for racial violence.

Australia desires to keep all international students safe and to send a message very clearly that these students are welcome here, Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Julia Gillard said.

Condemning the recent attacks on Indians as "cowardly" acts, she said that "Indian students particularly are welcome here."

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith "has spoken with the Premier of Victoria (John Brumby) and has talked to him about further action to assist Indian students," Gillard said.

"We want our Indian students to be welcomed here, to feel safe here, to be able to get a great quality education here and to have a happy time in this country," she said.

Noting that Australian authorities have formed a task force to coordinate the government's response to such attacks, Gillard said "we want to send a message ... loud and clear that Australian government, the Victorian (state) government have no tolerance for any actions based on racial intolerance."