NSW Premier’s Speech at India Australia Friendship Fair 2009
Friends, It’s good to be with you. And has there ever been a more opportune time for this India Australia Friendship Fair? Because friendship is at the core of our society, at the heart of our relationship. And nothing must be allowed to threaten it. Least of all, the actions of a handful of bigots and thugs.
My friends, it’s a sad truth that even in the most tolerant, orderly and inclusive societies there will be outbreaks of racist bigotry and violence. It’s happened in other Australian cities, in other countries. It’s happened in India. But that doesn’t mean we can sit back and hope it will all blow over. We have to confront it and deal with it. And that’s what my Government is doing.
For example, last November we set up a ministerial taskforce on international education to examine safety and security concerns, welfare and immigration as they affect the Indian community. I am confident that the report of that Taskforce will go a long way to addressing our latest concerns.
In June this year, when students took to the streets to vent their frustration over security in Harris Park, we responded immediately. I called together a broad representation of the Indian community in Sydney along with senior ministers, the police commissioner and the Consul-General. I listened. I head your concerns. And I directed the Community Relations Commission to do all it could to stamp out the misinformation about life in Australia being provided to students in India.
As I told the NSW Parliament at the time 
“No one who calls New South Wales home should walk the streets in fear, especially those who are our guests.” I would add to that statement now. “No student who comes to this country for further education should fear the collapse of their college or the loss of their scarce financial resources.”
Many of the issues affecting the lives of Indian students are the concern of our Federal colleagues and I believe those matters are now in hand.
For my part, I have said publicly that Indian students who do not receive the tuition they have paid for should come to the Government, through their local MP, and we will pursue their claims. I repeat that assurance.
And I ask you to remember it whenever you get worried phone calls from family or friends in India inquiring about your safety after sensational reports have appeared in the Indian media.
No one wants to play down the latest attacks. They will not be tolerated. The perpetrators will be caught and dealt with.
I won’t let such issues interfere with the great relationship between the people of New South Wales and the people of India, between the Indian community and all other communities in multicultural NSW.
If students are being exploited in employment, in seeking accommodation or at their colleges, the culprits will be made to pay.
Australia and India will work through these issues in a spirit of harmony and goodwill. There is a unique bridge between our countries, not just one built on cricket. It’s built on the rule of law, on our shared English language, on the parliamentary system and the absolute equality of the individual in democratic elections, in short, on our shared heritage.
India’s recent national election involving hundreds of millions of voters is testament to the strength and resilience of the world’s largest democracy.
It’s that great democracy, born on 15 August 1947, that we celebrate today at this fair and remember together on our shared national day, 26 January each year.
The democratic ideals of modern India have been brought to Australia by the many thousands of Indian immigrants who form part of our New South Wales family.
They have added to the strength of our democracy and our way of life. Our friendship will endure whatever obstacles are put in its path. Of that I am certain.
And finally today, in the spirit of friendship and goodwill, I am very pleased to make an announcement about one of India’s much loved sons. Oscar award winning artist, A.R Rahman, has generously agreed to offer a one off, free public concert, as part of the Sydney Festival in January next year. The NSW Government in conjunction with the Sydney Festival will host the event at Parramatta Park.
Without doubt one of the world’s great talents, I am sure he will show Sydney why he is one of the all time highest selling recording artists and why this year Time magazine placed Rahman in the Time 100 list of ‘World’s Most Influential People’. I congratulate Mr Rahman for his leadership and goodwill. We all look forward to having him here next year.
And I am delighted to be with you for this celebration and look forward to many more.
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