No race war here

By Lia Bichel and Melissa Meehan
WEEKS after racial turmoil ripped through streets in south-east Melbourne, Casey councillors have reaffirmed their commitment to promoting cultural harmony within the municipality.
On Tuesday night, the councillors unanimously agreed to the notice of motion presented by Four Oaks Ward councillor Shar Balmes on behalf of absent Edrington Ward councillor Simon Curtis.
“The motion is in response to the recent turmoil of highly publicised, racially-based events,” she said.
Three weeks ago, in south-east Melbourne, increased police patrols were called to a neighbourhood highly populated with people of Indian descent.
On 7 June, an Indian student’s car was torched, though police said they were not treating the incident as a racial crime. On 14 June, a 30-year-old Indian man from Hawthorn East was a victim of a baseball bat bashing in Springvale. Police said this incident may have been a result of ‘road rage.’
Casey Senior Sergeant Gerry Hengel said he did not believe people in Casey had been targeted because of their race. “The biggest issue is that people need to learn to control their behaviours, regardless of race or culture – and that’s in every nation,” he said.
Snr Sgt Hengel said he had “no doubt” that any initiative set by the City of Casey to assist in different cultures integrating into society would benefit the community.
In 2007, Casey council signed the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Community Accord which promotes respect for diversity, advocates for the elimination of racial and religious intolerance, and calls for the rejection of all forms of racial and religious vilification, violence, harassment and discrimination.
Cr Balmes said though this commitment was made two years ago, council wanted to reaffirm it.
She signed the accord in 2007 before being elected to council, along with Cr Amanda Stapledon, but felt more strongly about the principles of the accord now. “I feel a greater responsibility to the wider community and committed to cultural harmony,” she said. “The City of Casey is culturally diverse, and it’s a wonderful thing. I think everyone should accept and celebrate each other’s differences and we can set an example to surrounding communities.”
Cr Balmes said the City of Casey was demonstrating its commitment to cultural harmony and multiculturalism through various programs for people of all ages and ethnic backgrounds.
“All our programs cater for everyone across the board,” she said. “We even have a new estate evening, which welcomes new residents to the City of Casey.”