Govt offers metadata laws breakthrough

The federal government has agreed to a Labor request which could enable new metadata laws to pass parliament next week.

The government wants to force telecommunications companies to keep two years of customer metadata for access by police and intelligence agencies.

But Labor had concerns that journalists and whistleblowers could be caught up in the net.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in a letter to Opposition Leader Bill Shorten that he had agreed to an amendment that will require agencies to obtain a warrant in order to access a journalist's metadata for the purpose of identifying a source.

Mr Abbott said the government did not believe it was necessary "but is proposing to accept it to expedite the bill".

The prime minister has asked the opposition to confirm its support for the bill by 5pm (AEDT) Monday and allow the legislation to pass parliament by the end of next week.

Mr Shorten wrote to Mr Abbott on Sunday warning he was reserving the opposition's right to amend the bill.

The government says the laws are essential for tackling terrorism and organised crime.

A Labor spokesman said the opposition was waiting to see the amendment in writing before making a final decision.

It's expected the Labor caucus will discuss it at Tuesday's meeting in Canberra.