Racist attacks have damaged Victoria and Australia's image in India: Premier Brumby

Melbourne, Sep.16 (ANI): Victorian Premier John Brumby said on Wednesday that the spate of racist attacks had damaged Victoria and Australia's image in India.

"Some of the events of the past few months have damaged our brand and the Australian brand in India and I can only repeat that overall we remain one of the safest places in the world," The Age quoted Brumby, as saying.

Brumby, however, refused to comment about the weekend attack on four persons, but added that any violence, racially motivated or not, was unacceptable.

"If you look at Victoria as a whole we remain the safest state in Australia in terms of our crime rate," he said.

"Any violence which does occur and any violence which is racially motivated is completely unacceptable ... and I'll keep repeating this message as long as I have to to get the message out there," he added.

The premier is due to visit India next week as a part of a series of visits by high-profile politicians to try and curb fears that Australia is not a safe place for international students.

He said he would meet with key Indian officials to discuss the issue and also with students to encourage them to continue to come to Victoria and study. (ANI)