ASIO to get $200m more to fight terrorism

Spy agency ASIO will receive a $200 million boost over the next four years to combat terrorism.

The funding is part of a $630 million counter-terrorism package recently announced by Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Attorney-General George Brandis said ASIO's funding had been cut by more than $100 million over the past four years.

"This will better position ASIO to counter the increasing and evolving threats of terrorism and violent extremism," he told the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday.

The $196.8 million will be used to hire more analysts and better exchange information with foreign security and intelligence agencies.

The announcement came shortly after parliament approved a first tranche of tougher counter-terrorism laws.