Melbourne, Sep 25 (Inditop.com) While Australian authorities have been pledging to bring a tougher law to combat attacks on Indians living in the country, an Indian taxi driver became the latest victim of such an attack here Friday.
A star Australian footballer, Michael Hurley, was arrested for kicking and punching the unidentified Indian cabbie outside a fastfood centre on Hoddle Street after an altercation early Friday morning, the Herald Sun reported.
Paul Hamilton, general manager of operations at Essendon Football Club, confirmed that “Hurley had been involved in an incident overnight”.
He said Hurley, 19, 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.
According to the newspaper, the player took a taxi outside a South Melbourne nightclub around 5.30 a.m. and went to a Hungry Jacks fastfood outlet in Hoddle Street.
He left the taxi for some food and when the cabbie pursued him asking for his fare, the player kicked the driver in the groin and punched him.
Police were called and the player was detained at the scene. He was taken to Fitzroy police station where he was interrogated, the paper said.
The driver received minor injuries in the incident.
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.
The attack came while Victoria premier John Brumby, who is currently in India, pledged to bring a tougher law to combat such attacks on Indians.
During a meeting with Indian Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi in New Delhi Friday, Brumby said: “Steps would be taken to ensure the safety of the students. We have toughened our laws related to the racial crimes. We will inform the Indian government on the follow-up of the crime investigations by the Australian police.
“The government of Victoria will not tolerate any crimes against Indian students,” Brumby said.
Between June and August, around 30 Indian students were attacked in various cities in Australia.
