AFIS joined the Premier of Victoria today at a Vindaloo lunch.

From the Office of Premier of Victoria

The Premier John Brumby today joined thousands of Victorians participating in the Vindaloo Against Violence initiative by having lunch at an Indian restaurant with people from Victoria’s Indian student community.

Mr Brumby said the response from Victorians to the initiative demonstrated the community’s commitment to uniting in its solidarity with the Indian community and celebrating multiculturalism.

“The Vindaloo Against Violence initiative is a unique opportunity for Victorians to unite and send a message that the actions of an ignorant few will not be allowed to undermine the reputation of Melbourne as a peaceful and friendly city,” Mr Brumby said.

“Victoria has been shaped by people from across the world. We come from over 200 countries, speak more than 230 languages and dialects and follow more than 120 faiths. Today, Victoria’s 150,000-strong Indian community is a vital part of modern-day multicultural Victoria.

“Victoria’s cultural diversity is one of our strengths and any attack on our community is an attack upon us all. Any attack motivated by race or prejudice is particularly disgraceful.

“Our diverse, dynamic multiculturalism was celebrated by the thousands of Victorians who marched through the city’s streets at the Harmony Walk last year.”

Vindaloo Against Violence was developed by Melbourne resident Mia Northrop. It is expected that more than 10,000 people will participate in Vindaloo Against Violence activities across Australia.

Mr Brumby was joined by members of the Indian community, including Indian students studying in Melbourne for lunch at popular Indian café Desi Dhaba in Melbourne’s CBD.

The Victorian Parliament dining hall has also changed its menu to serve Indian cuisine in support of the Vindaloo Against Violence initiative.

“It is well-known that Victorians like to eat out and we have an international reputation for our world-class food scene. This great initiative combines that culinary reputation and uses it to send a message that we do not accept violence against any members of our community,” Mr Brumby said.

Mr Brumby said the Victorian Government and Victorian community were taking a range of strong, practical actions to address violence, re-affirm the state’s commitment to multiculturalism and to improve the experience of international students, including:

• A crackdown on illegal weapons, specifically knives, including a month-long weapons amnesty, a new longer-term education campaign aimed at people who carry knives and a blitz on weapons sellers to be led by Consumer Affairs Victoria;
• Providing $47 million to put 120 more police on the beat – on top of the 350 already being delivered in this term and in addition to the 1400 extra police but back into the police force since 1999;
• Giving extra powers to police to focus on crime hot-spots, search for weapons, move people from trouble spots and fine people on the spot for disorderly conduct;
• Amending sentencing laws so that judges can take into account hatred for, or prejudice against a particular group when sentencing offenders. The Police Indian Western Reference Group has been established to identify, implement and monitor strategies to engage police and Indian communities to reduce the risk of crime;
• Establishing a new 24-hour international student care service so that international students can obtain support and assistance around the clock, including referrals and assistance with accommodation, counselling, legal assistance and support services;
• Establishing an international student welcome booth at Melbourne Airport and boosting funding for the Indian International Student Advisory Service;
• As part of the $38 billion Victorian Transport plan, providing $30 million to enable Victoria Police to deploy an additional 50 transit police on the public transport network; and
• New train operators Metro Trains Melbourne have committed to working with Victoria Police to cut crime across the public transport network by 10 per cent and deploying more than 100 extra customer service officers and staffing 22 more train stations.