Watchdog named for national security laws

A former judge with more than three decades legal experience has been named Australia's new watchdog for national security legislation.

Roger Gyles will fill the vacant role of Independent National Security Legislation Monitor and begin examining the federal government's new counter-terrorism legislation as soon as possible.

His first task will be to examine whether the first suite of laws - introduced in response to the rise of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria - will impact on journalists.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott said Mr Gyles would begin the role immediately on an acting basis until the Governor-General considered a permanent appointment.

"It is important Mr Gyles consider this legislation as soon as possible," Mr Abbott said in a statement.

The position has been vacant since April, when Bret Walker's term ended.

The government had wanted to abolish the monitor but later agreed to reinstate the role.

Mr Gyles was a former Federal and Supreme Court judge and a member of several tribunals, and spent 24 years as a Queen's Counsel in NSW.