Government condemns ethnic-based violence

Sunday, May 24th, 2009

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, has recently stressed the government’s position against ethnic and religious-based violence.

Senator Evans issued his statement as he extended his sympathy to the Sri Lankan victims of the home invasion and acid attack in Westmead, a suburb within the Parramatta area.

‘This was an horrific attack and the Government wants to stress that ethnic or religious-based violence is unacceptable in Australian society,’ Senator Evans said.

‘The Australian Government condemns any form of sectarian conflict and, indeed, there are grounds to cancel people’s visas under the Migration Act should they engage in serious crime.

‘That said, it is important that we do not blame all people from a particular migrant group for the behaviour of a few.’

Senator Evans said Australia was built on a tradition of social cohesion and acceptance and the Australian Government had a range of programs to build strong community relations.

In the latest estimates of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, large population growth is concentrated on outer suburbs.

In New South Wales, Blacktown near Parramatta has the largest population increases to year ended 30 June 2008. The Blacktown and Parramatta areas are known to have some of the largest concentration of multicultural groups in the state.

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