We won't be safe as a closed society: Wong

Penny Wong has pondered whether visible national security signs such as surveillance cameras, bollards and armed guards are enough to keep Australians safe.

Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman addressed a Women and National Security Conference dinner in Canberra on Tuesday night.

She said while "hard" counter-terrorism measures such as CCTVs, bollards, static barriers and armed guards are necessary, she questioned whether they are sufficient.

"Do we need to remind ourselves more persistently that we will not succeed or become safer by closing ourselves off from each other or from the world?" she said.

"Should we elevate our discussion of the values we seek to preserve as an open and inclusive society - equality, co-operation, tolerance and compassion?"

Senator Wong argued history shows inward-looking, disengaged societies pose a risk of misunderstandings, tensions and conflict.

"Open communities have the strength of inclusion. Closed communities have the spectre of fear," she said.