New PM briefed on security threats

Malcolm Turnbull has been brought up to speed on the latest security threats facing Australia even before being sworn-in as prime minister.

Duncan Lewis, the director of ASIO, Australia's domestic spy agency, provided the briefing.

Mr Turnbull on Tuesday told parliament there was no more important obligation or duty on any government than protecting the safety of its people.

His government would be committed to ensuring Australia's borders were getting right the balance of counter-terrorism measures against extremists home and abroad.

"These are very, very complex challenges and we focus on them relentlessly," Mr Turnbull said.

Australia was now a vastly more interconnected nation and technology which had brought so many benefits also brought new challenges, including acts of brutal violence.

"We are in longer a country far away from the problems of the world," the prime minister said.

A new Defence white paper, due later in the year, would help define key national priorities.

"But countering violent extremism also begins at home," Mr Turnbull said.

"We are working with social media companies and communities encountering the spread of extremist ideas."