MUMBAI - BOLLYWOOD'S biggest labour union said on Thursday its members would refuse to work in Australia until attacks on Indian students there ceased.

Two Bollywood movies - including one by Bollywood's largest producer, Yash Raj Films - were to be shot in Australia this month.

'None of our associate members will work in Australia until the racism issue is resolved,' Dinesh Chaturvedi, head of the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE).

FWICE, which represents 250,000 workers, including actors, lighting and sound technicians, camera operators and dancers, issued a notice to all Bollywood producers announcing the boycott.

It was the latest snub by Bollywood over a wave of assaults on Indian students which have strained diplomatic relations between India and Australia.

Last weekend, Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan rejected an honorary doctorate from a Brisbane university, in protest against the attacks on Indian students. Three recent Bollywood box-office hits - Salaam Namaste (Greetings), Chak de India (Go India) and Heyy Baby - were shot extensively in Australia.

The union's announcement came a day after another attack on an Indian student was reported in Australia.

Many of the most serious cases occurred in Melbourne, where police estimate Indians account for about 30 percent of all robbery and assault victims.

India's media have dubbed the attacks 'curry bashing,' and newspapers have been splashed with headlines such as 'Australia, land of racists.'

The Australian government has called in the former head of Australia's elite Special Air Service (SAS) regiment to lead a task force examining the attacks. -- AFP