Bill targeting riots passes first step

A bill giving New South Wales police the power to lock down suburbs, confiscate cars and shut down pubs has passed its first step. 

The Lower House of State Parliament passed the bill at a special sitting on Thursday, and will now go to the Upper House. 

The bill, drawn up in the wake of race-based violence in Sydney's southern suburbs, also removes the presumption of bail for charges of rioting or affray.  

New South Wales Premier, Morris Iemma, says the powers will give police certainty for making difficult decisions in tough circumstances. 

The passing of the new laws follows days of race riots in Sydney's southern suburbs earlier this week. 

South Sydney calm amid heavy police presence

Sydney police say there were no incidents in the city's southern suburbs on Wednesday night.

ABC News reported hundreds of officers patrolled Cronulla, Maroubra and Brighton-Le-Sans, where major roads in the area were again blocked as police checked driver licenses and passenger ID's following racial riots earlier this week. 

Officers also targeted Lakemba and Auburn in west Sydney, after two attacks on churches.