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Question: Sir, over five thousand Indian students are stuck in Australia because 34 universities have closed down. What is the government going to do about it?

Minister: We have given a commitment in relation to the students who were enrolled at institutions that failed, that we would do one of two things – we would find alternate places for them to complete their studies, or we would ensure that their fees are reimbursed.

Question: Sir, you just said in your speech about Indian students leaving campuses and going to other places to stay ....., so for all those small conglomerates are you providing security to Indian students there?

Minister: I have indicated, seems the discussions we have been having, they have stepped up the policing operations in the area identified as more vulnerable. So there have been increased policing services in those areas, yes.

Question: Sir, you have said that Indian students stay out of campuses, and they do late night jobs, but does all this really justify the kind of violence that is happening against them?

Minister: Well, violence is a fact of life in all countries. Let us be honest about that. What we have to do is to ensure that we mitigate that violence and take appropriate steps that we are doing. What has happened over the last nine months is the identification and the circumstances surrounding a number of cases involving Indian students in particular. So, we are working in a whole suite of ways to address that. Not only additional policing, better advice to the students, helplines and assistance on the campus, advice on the net as to where they can get better understanding and better.their own security.

Question: On the India-Australia FTA, will the issues like child labour, environment and government procurement will be discussed?

Minister: Obviously the question of the Free Trade Agreement and what is discussed will be the subject of the feasibility study that comes out and what the respective governments then agree should proceed, but the feasibility study was based on it being a comprehensive FTA, covering all sectors – agriculture, goods, services, investment – and we will just have to wait for the final go ahead by the governments. But the feasibility study itself has been completed. It shows that across all those sectors there are significant benefits to both economies. What we now require is the political commitment to take it to the next step.

Question: When we can expect the formal launch of negotiations?

Minister: That is a matter that is really in the hands of the respective Prime Ministers.

Question: Have you worked on the sensitive items which are there in the list between India and Australia?

Minister: I think that there are always sensitive issues within an engagement that involves two countries that are as diverse as Australia and India. We have to be, again, honest about that and face up to the sensitive areas. But I would prefer to focus on the opportunities that present themselves, the win-win outcome that I am convinced exists in the bilateral relationship to date, and the potential it holds to strengthening both economies. Within that framework I think, it is often a lot easier to deal with the sensitivities when you can counter-balance with the opportunities.

Question: Are you looking at any deadlines to conclude this agreement?

Minister: No I will not put a deadline on it. I have never done that in any FTA negotiation because the deadline becomes the issue. What I am convinced about is that there is opportunity for both countries in this. Our task is to spread that message.This forum today has provided an important opportunity to do it, and you can see from the reaction in the audience that there is a lot of agreement about the areas for potential going forward.

ENDS

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