"Regrettably there have been some incidents recently, let's accept that, but let's put it into context, and also in the context of, let's call it, the broader incidences of violence to students of other ethnic backgrounds, acts of violence against Australian students, acts of violence in particular parts of our large cities at any given time of the day." Prime Minister Kevin Rudd; Jan 2010
"We are doing our utmost to register our absolute displeasure and concern about what is happening to our citizens in Australia." Indian Junior Foreign Minister Praneet Kaur; Jan 2010
"There is no question, regardless of the motives, Indian students have to a degree been targeted in robberies and that is not okay... We have known for two years that there has been this issue and we have been working away, at a number of levels around engaging with students, trying to make them understand the risks and how they keep themselves safe." Victorian Police Commissioner Simon Overland; Jan 2010
"We are a tolerant place and Victorian police are very tolerant and this business about racism is just wrong." Victorian Police Minister Bob Cameron; Jan 2010
"It's up to us to get the message across now that people who want to study from here in India and come back to Australia and study - it is very safe... This is probably the only time I'll use my profile like this to get something, and that's to improve relations between Australia and India." Australian Cricketer and Ambassador for Deakin University, Brett Lee; October 2009
"I'm scared about race attacks, but many people are locking themselves into their homes, meaning they don't want to enjoy their lives. They don't want to see their life because of these attacks. But I'm not one of them, I'm enjoying my life, because life is a beautiful gift, we should enjoy it." UTS International student, Yashesh; June 2009
"I'm still shocked, I can't believe this could happen to me." Indian student and attack victim Sourabh Sharma; May 2009
"All Indian homes are robbed, every single Indian home has been robbed." Indian student and attack victim Navjot Singh; June 2009
"I genuinely don't think Australia is as racist as it is often portrayed to be by international media." Former Australian-based Indian journalist Akash Arora; June 2009
"The Queensland University of Technology has very graciously offered only last week, to confer an Honorary Doctorate to me for my contribution to the world of entertainment. Under the prevailing circumstances I find it inappropriate at this juncture, to accept this decoration. My conscience is profoundly unsettled at the moment and there seems to be a moral disjuncture between the suffering of these students and my own approbation." Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan; May 2009
"By and large I think there are a number of other considerations [apart from racism] which have led to the attack on Indian students." India's External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna; August 2009
"(We have) more police, a bigger police budget, stronger powers, plus a student support package to support overseas students who study in our state." Victorian Premier John Brumby; October 2009
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