War hero urges Australians to root out racism

General Peter Cosgrove, the commander of the international force that moved into East Timor in the bloody aftermath of the tiny nation's independence vote, and one of his country's most respected figures, has urged Australians to stand up against racism.

In an Australia Day address in Sydney, he condemned the attacks on Indians in Melbourne and intolerance towards Muslims, warning that racism needed to be confronted and rooted out.

"Is there a strand of racism or perhaps pockets of racism here in Australia? Undoubtedly," Cosgrove said. "No multifaceted society can be absent some level of intolerance but there should be no consequent complacency on our part."

Cosgrove's speech followed continuing tensions over the series of attacks on Indian students, including the murder of accountancy student Nitin Garg.

In the past week one Sikh temple in Melbourne was set on fire and another pelted with eggs and stones, and an Indian taxi driver was bashed by passengers.

Although police and political leaders have played down racism in attacks that have strained relations with New Delhi, Victorian Police Commissioner Simon Overland yesterday conceded that his force had known of the problem for two years.

He told ABC radio yesterday that Indians were over-represented in robbery statistics, and that police had been working even before the assaults became public to help Indians become aware of the risk and how to keep themselves safe.

Cosgrove's speech, delivered on the eve of Australia's exuberant celebration of nationalism, carried greater force because of the respect in which he is held.

A Vietnam War hero who won the Military Cross, he became Chief of the Defence Force after commanding the international force in East Timor and later led the taskforce rebuilding north Queensland after the devastation of Cyclone Larry in 1996.

Cosgrove has been an Australian of the Year and has won international recognition, including being made a Companion of the NZ Order of Merit.

Although warning of racism, his speech was framed against what he said was the background of a nation that had embraced diversity and multiculturalism, and which had a history of tolerance and generosity.

Australians had regarded the harsh penalties handed down in the wake of the 2005 rioting between whites and Lebanese in Cronulla as appropriate, and authorities had launched bridge-building initiatives between the warring communities.

And Cosgrove said he sensed that Australians were concerned about - and reluctant to downplay or dismiss - the potential racist elements in what was becoming a litany of criminality against Indians.

"The problem for us is that the criminal incidents are cowardly and sly, and it is easy to conclude that they are racially targeted," he said.

"We are all concerned that there might be some sort of warped campaign in progress.

"The vast majority of Australians, totally rejecting any such despicable behaviour, will welcome the apprehension of those who are preying on these visitors and their rigorous prosecution.

"Only that outcome will satisfy our determination to be - and to be known as - a just and equitable society."

Cosgrove also warned against "ongoing estrangement" between Muslims and the broader Australian society, heightened by global tensions such as the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, and adding to the alienation and isolation already felt by some of Australia's Islamic community.

He said it was difficult to find neat and persuasive solutions, but urged against knee-jerk reactions such as changing immigration patterns.