Melbourne/New Delhi, Sep 25 (IANS) An Indian taxi driver was assaulted by an Australian star footballer in Melbourne in an incident that visiting Victoria state premier John Brumby termed as “regrettable”, even as he assured India he will give a progress report on probes into such attacks and proposed separate housing and transportation for Indian students.
Essendon footballer Michael Hurley, 19, was briefly held for kicking and punching the unidentified Indian cabbie outside a fastfood centre after an altercation on Hoddle Street in Melbourne early Friday morning, the Herald Sun reported.

“It is regrettable. The club has indicated its regret and apologised,” Victoria premier Brumby, currently visiting India, told reporters in New Delhi.

“Concrete action will be taken against the footballer… We will not allow this kind of attack,” he said,

Brumby though sought to downplay the incident, saying the attack was a result of excess drinking. “Michael is a good kid. It’s not typical of his behaviour. He just went out and had too much to drink,” Brumby said. “There’s a lesson in here for everyone,” he said.

Hurley took a taxi outside a South Melbourne nightclub about 5.30 a.m. and went to a food outlet on Hoddle Street. When the driver pursued him asking for fare, Hurley allegedly kicked him in the groin and punched him.

Paul Hamilton, general manager of operations at Essendon Football Club, confirmed that “Hurley had been involved in an incident overnight”.

He said Hurley was questioned by police at the Fitzroy police station for his brawl with the taxi driver. He was, however, released later.

The footballer was not charged with any offence, Hamilton said.

Meanwhile, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said the alleged attack was over a fare dispute and Hurley was likely to be charged for assault related offences.

Between June and August, around 30 Indian students were attacked in various cities in Australia.

Brumby, who is leading a nine-member delegation, met Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal in New Delhi Friday morning.

“I have given an undertaking to keep public in India better informed about incidents and the police follow-up. We will provide progress reports on the investigation of the incidents,” he told reporters.

He said that the information will include summary of incidents involving Indian victims and the action or follow-up done by the Victoria police.

Brumby stressed that the attacks were generally criminal in nature, pointing out that in a big city of three million, it was difficult to guarantee full security.

“No big city in the world can say that there is no crime. It is not mostly racially motivated. We have to separate that,” he said.

Brumby said: “Steps would be taken to ensure the safety of the students. We have toughened our laws related to racial crimes.”

Last week, Victoria’s legislature introduced a bill that will strengthen sentencing of hate crimes.

After meeting Ravi, Brumby proposed to give separate transportation and safe housing for Indian students in Australia.

“It is a proposal by the Australian government. It will be examined by the India-Australia joint working group,” Ravi told reporters.

Asked whether separate housing would create a “ghetto feeling” among the Indian students, Ravi said the proposal is not meant just for Indian students.

“It is meant for all international students studying in Australia,” Ravi said.

“The government of Victoria will not tolerate any crimes against Indian students,” Brumby said.

The Victorian government outlined a number of measures, including increasing the number of police personnel as well as improving the security scenario around train stations.

Ravi said the recent attacks on Indian students would not prevent Indians from investing in Australia. “The people of India consider Australia as a friendly nation,” he said.