A CRACKDOWN on law and order won't stop attacks against international students unless the authorities admit racism is at work and implement measures to tackle it, a multicultural researcher has warned.

Victoria University's Hurriyet Babacan, who is leading a fast-tracked research project into violence against Indian students, said there was evidence of a "new" racism in Australia against groups seen as not fitting in.

Professor Babacan warned yesterday that history showed racist hostility among the economically disadvantaged increased at times of economic recession.

She said efforts to tackle racism in the past had been hampered by a reluctance to admit it existed, not least because it could hurt the nation's $15.5 billion-a-year international student market.

"We don't like to talk about it. It is a confronting and difficult topic and it implicates us all in the indigenous history," Professor Babacan said. She said the Indian community had long complained that the attacks were racially motivated but there was an initial reluctance on the part of the police to acknowledge that.

"If (the attacks) are racially motivated and we are only putting in place law enforcement-type strategies then you are still going to have other incidents erupt at particular points," she said.

Victoria's police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland and Premier John Brumby said yesterday racism was clearly a factor in some of the attacks.

Research last year for Victoria's Health Department revealed strong support for ethnic diversity and tolerance, but also evidence of what Professor Babacan called "new racism".

A survey of more than 4000 Victorians found 90 per cent support for diversity, with 82 per cent of respondents feeling comfortable with people from different ethnic backgrounds.

But 37 per cent agreed with the statement that Australia was weakened by different ethnic cultures sticking to their "old ways".

And 36 per cent believed there were groups that didn't fit into Australian society. Of these, Muslims and people from the Middle East were mentioned most often, possibly reflecting security concerns in the wake of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the US.

Professor Babacan is leading a team of five researchers to establish the underlying reasons for the attacks on international students. They plan to survey 1000 students and interview 50 in time to report at the end of next month.

Meanwhile, anti-racism group Fight Dem Back has warned that white supremacist groups may try to exploit the violence against Indian students. Spokesman Cam Smith said while it didn't appear any racist groups had been involved so far, unofficial reports of some attackers wearing masks were a possible sign of organised activity.

However, Victoria Police say there is no evidence of racist organisations being involved.