Former diplomat named as Australia's counter-terror boss

Former diplomat Greg Moriarty is set to be named the nation's first counter-terrorism co-ordinator by Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

The move is a response to the potentially deadly threat of radicalised Australians enacting religious and politically-motivated violence.

Regarded an authority on security and intelligence, Mr Moriarty will head a new counter-terrorism co-ordination office within Mr Abbott's own department.

A former ambassador to Tehran and Jakarta, he has extensive knowledge of Islam and its radical variants and has experience as an inter-agency operator.

The appointment follows a Counter-Terrorism Review released earlier this year, which recommended more active cooperation with purported "at-risk communities", according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

With AAP.