PM rejects ASIO torture power claims

The federal government has rejected claims its new anti-terrorism laws could allow spy agencies to torture suspects.

Labor and crossbenchers have raised concerns that the government's new legislation gives ASIO agents scope to break the law as part of undercover operations.

But Attorney-General George Brandis says while the laws do give agents immunity from liability for some criminal activity, that does not extend to torture.

"No it does not, it absolutely does not," he told ABC radio on Friday.

He said the "special protected legal regime" for agents was absolutely necessary.

"When agents go undercover to penetrate networks sometimes they have to engage in activities which would seem to be unlawful activities."

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said under the laws agents were not allowed to inflict serious injury.

"Certainly the whole point of torture is to cause injury in some way, shape or form," he told ABC radio.

"The Australian government resolutely opposes the use of torture."