AFRICAN immigrants should be given an ''L-plate'' year in which they are not charged with certain breaches of Australian law, a Melbourne mayoral candidate has suggested.

Speaking at a Melbourne University forum last week, former Victorian of the Year Berhan Ahmed said members of the African community should be granted leniency by police until they acclimatised to Australian laws.

Berhan Ahmed: 'If the humanitarian system is to succeed in giving people a chance, it has to give us an L-plate law system.' Credit:Eddie Jim

''If the humanitarian system is to succeed in giving people a chance, it has to give us an L-plate law system,'' Dr Ahmed, a Melbourne University lecturer, said. ''When there are minor issues the police should not put it in a record of crime because that stops the life of that young person and destroys their future.''

''As an African, finding a job is a nightmare. Having a criminal record makes it absolutely impossible.''