Keenan to attack IS propaganda machine

Australia's new counter terrorism minister says he'll be focusing on undermining Islamic State's propaganda efforts.

Michael Keenan says he's disturbed by fresh reports of Australians heading to conflict zones in the Middle East, including one of a Sydney mother who abandoned her young children for a new life with Islamic State in Syria.

"We want to make sure that Australians are getting better messaging online - make sure we are doing everything we can to stop this propaganda being able to draw Australians in," he's told the Seven Network.

Mr Keenan said he would be working closely with the Muslim community to undermine efforts by IS to recruit Australians.

"There is a very small section of the Australian population that is susceptible to the propaganda that is coming out of the Middle East," he said.

"We want to work with the communities to identify people who may be moving down the wrong path and make sure they stop going down that path. It is a hateful ideology."