Parental fears hit Aus MPs after UK blast

Federal politicians are among Australian parents reeling from the Manchester terrorist attack and grappling with fears about their children attending concerts.

Australian Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson says his 18-year-old daughter has just finished picking grapes and will embark on an overseas gap-year adventure in three weeks.

"I'm not going to let these bastards change my way of life, or my daughter's way of life," he told reporters at Parliament House on Wednesday.

Labor senator Lisa Singh says her 20-something sons love going to concerts .

"I don't want them to stop being young people and enjoying concerts," she said.

"It's so important that we go about our daily lives."

Colleague Malarndirri McCarthy says families and communities must band together and be strong.

"I can't help but think about my sons, whenever they go anywhere," the Northern Territory senator said.

Liberal senator Chris Back said there was some merit in requiring concertgoers to use clear plastic bags rather than backpacks.

"I think the age of innocence has gone," he said.

Labor senator Anthony Chisholm, who has young children including an eight-year-old daughter who likes pop music, says his family felt the tragedy deeply.