Leslie Massey
Australian-Indians have long been subjected to racism in Australia. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the media in both countries has publicised reports of racially-motivated crimes and robberies against Indians in Australia. In 2009, Indian student organisations called on the Indian government to declare Australia an unsafe destination for Indian students. In 2021, the population of Indians in Australia was about 976,000, and Indian residents ranked second in the country in terms of overseas-born migrants. Despite their increasing numbers, those of Indian origin still seem to be perceived as an other or a model minority. In 2024, Victoria's opposition leader criticised the Australian government for implementing discriminatory policies against Indians, especially those trying to visit their families. However, one immigration consultant for Australia and Canada expressed the opinion that Australians do not hate Indian migrants, and that the Australian migration process is one of the best in the world.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Racism against Indian-Australians | High |
| Number of Indian migrants in Australia | 721,000 |
| Indian residents rank | Second in the country |
| Travel ban imposed by the federal government on flights from India | Yes |
| Indian students in Australia in 2009 | 120,913 |
| Number of Indian students assaulted in Australia in 2008 | 1,447 |
| Number of reported assaults against Indian students in 2009 | 152 |
| Number of assaults against Indian students with racial overtones in 2009 | 23 |
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What You'll Learn
Racism against Indian-Australians
Racism against Indian Australians is a complex issue with a range of factors influencing public perception and treatment of this community. While some sources suggest that Indian Australians have long been subjected to racism and discrimination in Australia, others argue that the issue is more nuanced.
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of Indian migrants in Australia, with Indian residents ranking second only to those from England in 2020 government figures. Despite their growing numbers and increasing political voice, Indian Australians still seem to face challenges in being fully accepted and represented in the mainstream Australian public sphere. This perception of exclusion is particularly evident in the federal government's recent travel ban on flights from India during the COVID-19 pandemic. The punitive nature of this ban, which included fines and jail time for Australian citizens attempting to return home, was criticised as racist and further contributed to feelings of marginalisation within the Indian-Australian community.
Indian students in Australia have also faced racially motivated attacks and discrimination. In 2009-2010, a series of violent assaults on Indian students in Melbourne sparked widespread protests and media coverage, leading to a diplomatic response from the Australian government. While some commentators attributed these attacks solely to racism, others suggested that they were opportunistic and committed by perpetrators from various ethnic backgrounds, including other immigrant groups. Regardless of the motivation, these incidents highlighted a perception of racial tension and the need for improved cultural understanding and representation in Australia.
The Indian diaspora in Australia has demonstrated increased pride in their home country due to its growing economic strength on the global stage. This has resulted in a stronger willingness to speak out against perceived discrimination and a desire for their voices to be heard and taken seriously, especially during times of crisis. However, some argue that the Indian media's portrayal of Australia as a racist country may be one-sided and could potentially lead to a backlash against Indian Australians.
While there are varying opinions on the extent and nature of racism against Indian Australians, it is clear that efforts are needed to foster a more inclusive society. Addressing negative perceptions of multicultural communities and promoting cultural sensitivity are crucial steps towards creating a more harmonious Australia.
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Australian travel ban on flights from India
In May 2021, Australia imposed a strict lockdown on flights from India, banning all direct passenger flights until May 15, 2021, due to rising Coronavirus cases and deaths in the country. The decision, made by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, left around 9,000 Australians stranded in India, unable to return home. The controversial order stated that any Australian citizen in India would be banned from entering Australia until May 15 and that those who broke the rule could face prosecution with penalties of up to 5 years in jail, a fine of up to $66,000, or both.
This unprecedented restriction was believed to be the first time that Australia had made it a criminal offense for its citizens or permanent residents to re-enter the country. The decision faced widespread backlash, with critics deeming it racist and mean-spirited. Many Australians stranded in India, including high-profile sports stars, criticized the decision, calling on the government to prioritize their safe and quick return.
The Indian-Australian community and its allies expressed anger over the travel ban, with some commentators suggesting that the government was trying to deflect attention from the failures of its quarantine system. The travel ban came at a time when India was experiencing a devastating surge in COVID-19 cases, with hospitals running out of oxygen and crematoriums overflowing.
Facing pressure, Prime Minister Morrison indicated that repatriation flights from India may resume by May 15, 2021, as the government worked to increase capacity at a quarantine facility in the country's Northern Territory. The Australian government's decision highlighted the complex challenges of managing the pandemic while balancing the rights and safety of its citizens, both at home and abroad.
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Indian students in Australia
Indian students have long been an important part of the Australian higher education system, with over 125,000 Indian students currently enrolled in Australian universities, making them the second-largest international student cohort in the country. However, Indian students in Australia have faced significant challenges in recent years, including perceived discrimination and racist attacks.
In 2021, there were media reports that some Australian universities had temporarily paused accepting applications from students from certain Indian states due to integrity issues. This caused concern among Indian students and education consultants, particularly in states like Gujarat, a key source of applicants for Australian universities. The Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI) refuted these claims, stating that no Australian university had banned students from any Indian state and that the Australian Government continued to process Indian student visa applications as per global standards. The current student visa approval rate for Indian applicants is approximately 85%, indicating a strong acceptance rate for genuine students.
Despite these assurances, Indian-Australians continue to face racism and discrimination. According to Dr Sukhmani Khorana, a senior research fellow at Western Sydney University, Indian-Australians often feel "singled out" and perceived as an "other" or a "model minority." This sentiment was further exacerbated by the Australian government's travel ban on flights from India during the COVID-19 pandemic, which many viewed as a punitive measure that did not reflect the growing political voice of the Indian-Australian community.
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Australian immigration policies for Indians
Australia has a diverse range of immigration policies, and the country has seen a significant increase in Indian migrants over the past five years, with Indian residents ranking second in the country, behind only those from England. However, Indian Australians have long been subjected to racism and often feel singled out. Despite their growing numbers and increasing political voice, Indian Australians still seem to be largely perceived as an "other" or a "model minority".
The Australian government's recent travel ban on flights from COVID-ravaged India has been criticised by doctors, human rights groups, and the Indian-Australian community. Australian citizens were prohibited from entering their own country, and they also risked fines or jail time if they attempted to do so. This decision may have been an attempt to deflect attention from the failures of the country's quarantine system. Additionally, the government's lack of response to the current crisis of Australian residents stranded in India has been noted.
The Indian community in Australia may be particularly vulnerable to discrimination and negative perceptions, especially during times of crisis in India. Indian officials and media are likely preoccupied with domestic matters and may not advocate for the Indian-Australian community as strongly as they did during the student attacks a decade ago.
To address these issues, the Australian government should take proactive steps to change negative perceptions of its multicultural communities and protect all Australian citizens. Migrants feel a greater sense of belonging and civic engagement when they feel cared for and protected by their adopted country. While the Indian diaspora in Australia can also work towards being more politically proactive, the elected leaders have a responsibility to foster an inclusive environment.
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Indian-Australians in the media and politics
Indian-Australians have a growing presence in the media and politics of Australia. The 2022 DFAT Diaspora Mapping Report highlights the Indian diaspora as Australia's fastest-growing, with Indian-born residents in the country quadrupling between 2006 and 2020. They are active across business, politics, the judiciary, government, civil society, academia, science, the arts, and sport.
However, when it comes to positions of leadership, Indian-Australians are underrepresented. Australia lags behind the US, Canada, and the UK, which have made more progress in including their Indian diaspora in leadership roles. The 2021 Board Diversity Index projected that it would take 18 years for ASX 300 boardrooms to reflect Australian cultural diversity.
Despite this underrepresentation, there have been some notable Indian-Australians in politics. For example, Indian-Australian MP Daniel Mookhey became the first MP in Australia's history to take the oath on the Bhagavad Gita. Similarly, Pru Car, of Indian origin, became the deputy premier of NSW, and Charishma Kaliyanda became the first Indian-born Australian to be elected to NSW parliament.
The Indian-Australian community has also been increasingly represented in the media. However, people of Indian descent have experienced discrimination and racism in Australia. In 2009–10, a series of attacks on Indian students in Melbourne led to widespread protests and negative media coverage in India, resulting in a decline in student enrolment numbers. More recently, the Australian government imposed a travel ban on flights from India during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was criticized as racist and punitive.
Overall, while Indian-Australians are making strides in media and politics, there is still room for improvement in terms of representation and addressing racism and discrimination.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australians do not hate Indians. However, Indian Australians have long been subjected to racism and have felt singled out. There have been reports of crimes and robberies against Indians in Australia that were described as racially motivated.
In 2009, Indian student organizations called on the Indian government to declare Australia an "unsafe destination for Indian students". There were rallies in Sydney and Melbourne, and intense media coverage of the perceived hate crimes in India.
The Australian government initially called for calm and began an investigation into the crimes. The Victoria Police Chief Commissioner, Simon Overland, acknowledged that some of the crimes were racist in nature. The Victorian government is considering enacting hate crime legislation.
A study predicted a 20% drop in Indian students expected to study in Australia in 2010 compared to 2009. After the attacks in 2009 and the deaths in January 2010, this number was expected to fall even further.
The ties between India and Australia have strengthened in recent years, with growing tourism, sporting links, and an increasing Indian community in Australia. However, there are still reports of discriminatory policies against Indians, particularly those trying to visit their families in Australia.
