An image from Australia's Sky News shows a man shouting as police stand by to quell racial violence which erupted on Sydney beaches on Sunday. (Photo: AFP)

¡¡ ¡¡CANBERRA, Dec. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Parliament of Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) has been recalled for a special sitting on Thursday to pass new laws aimed at stopping racial motivated riots which erupted in the capital city of Sydney on Sunday.

    The riots continued as NSW police said carloads of men attacked people and vandalized cars and shops Monday night in several southern suburbs in the city.

    NSW Premier Morris Iemma announced Tuesday that the state parliament will give police tough new powers to crack down on rioters.

    Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio quoted Iemma as saying the new measures will allow police to lock down and take command of an area, enabling them to close roads, search people and confiscate vehicles.

    Police will also be able to declare temporary alcohol-free zones, and shut down any premises to prevent large scale disorders.

::::::	Australian leaders condemn race riots
::::::	12 arrested in Australian racial attack

    The presumption of bail will also be removed for the offenses of riot and disorder, with the penalty for such offenses increased from five to 15 years in jail.

    Meanwhile, there were alarming signs that racial tensions were spreading to other states Tuesday as a Middle Eastern family was attacked in Perth, capital of the state of Western Australia, and a Lebanese Australian taxi driver was also attacked in Adelaide, capital of the state of South Australia.

    It was reported that the two incidents were linked to the Sydney tensions.

    The Islamic Council of Victoria said its Melbourne office was vandalized Tuesday. There were also mobile phone text messages targeting ethnic groups on the Gold Coast, Queensland. Enditem