COAG leaders agree on tougher national security laws

There's been furious agreement among the states, territories and the commonwealth on toughening up national security laws to help fight terrorism.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, State Premiers and Chief Ministers attend a signing ceremony for a special meeting on counter-terrorism of the COAG Source: AAP

When the states and territories are hauled to Canberra to meet with the Prime Minister, it's often tense and divisive.

But on the topic of terrorism, the nation's leaders could not be more united.

Leaders have signed off on tougher measures including a move to give police the ability to hold terror suspects in custody - without being charged - for up to 14 days.

The states and territories have also agreed to supply the commonwealth with drivers licence photos to be added to a national database and used with facial recognition software to help target terror suspects at public places.

Concerns have been raised around the ability for international hackers to gain access to the information - and the gradual erosion of civil liberties.

But state leaders say that is the price Australia must pay to keep people safe.