Australia to support India for Security Council seat

Zero tolerance for racism, says Australian Deputy PM

-Photo: Sandeep Saxena

Knowing India: Australian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard interacting with students at Lady Shri Ram College for Women in New Delhi on Monday.

NEW DELHI: The visiting Deputy Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard, on Monday said her country would support India’s claim for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.

During an interaction with students at Delhi University’s Lady Shri Ram College, she replied in the affirmative when asked if Australia would support India’s entry as a permanent member into the Security Council.

Fielding a variety of questions from the audience, Ms. Gillard maintained that her country had “zero tolerance” for racism. “Australia is a multicultural country. There have been some concerns about racism. As the national government, we have got zero tolerance for any form of violence against Indian as well as other students,” she said.

“Special friends”

Speaking of “special friends” Australia and India, Ms. Gillard underscored the need for a dialogue between the universities and industry of the two countries. She said both countries were committed to taking their education partnership to an exciting new stage.

Earlier, talking on “Women in Leadership”, she said one the defining stories of the 20th Century was the struggle for women’s emancipation and equality.

Good governance

“I believe good governance can really change lives. Women are embracing the challenge of providing good governance. In Australia, 30 per cent of the parliamentarians are women. The women have chosen to make a difference, deliver good governance and change lives,” she said.

Ms. Gillard spoke about her career in politics, the challenges she faces as Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister, and offered advice to the students about the various challenges and opportunities the young women may come across while building their future careers.

Ms. Gillard, who was also involved in students’ politics and was the president of Australian Union of Students, said she owed a lot to her parents who missed out on education for some reasons but were determined that she and her sister had the opportunities they did not get.

The chairman of the college Governing Body, Arun Bharat Ram, and Principal Meenakshi Gopinath were present at the interaction. indianachu - 05