Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu told a meeting of Australian and Indian business leaders on Monday that Victoria had a serious problem with racist attacks and the government had failed to confront the problem.

Pike, who was at Melbourne Airport to launch a new welcome desk for international students, retaliated by saying Baillieu's comments were incredibly irresponsible and destructive.

"Ted Baillieu has called Victorians racist," she said.

"We're creating harmony, we're building a close community, and he's creating division and in doing so just causing untold damage to our sense of self-worth as a community and of course our reputation internationally."

Pike said Victoria prided itself on acceptance and tolerance and Baillieu's comments only inflamed the situation.

She said the government had responded to the crisis sparked by assaults on Indians in Melbourne by beefing up police powers and strengthening the courts to better deal with offenders motivated by hate.

"You don't run about in an irresponsible way and say that Victorians are racist, you don't fan a fire, you don't put fuel on something that's negative," she said.

"Instead, what you do is you concentrate on the positive and continue to enhance our reputation internationally."