Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the terrorism threat to Australia is "real and serious", and is urging Labor to quickly pass new data retention laws.
Mr Abbott will use a speech to federal parliament on Monday to make a case for tougher counter-terrorism measures.
A bill is in the lower house that would force telecommunications companies to keep customer call and email metadata for two years, with debate awaiting an inquiry report at the end of next week.
"The important thing is ... to focus on the current terrorist threat, which is real, which is serious," Mr Abbott said.
"And just last week, thanks to really good work by NSW police, Australian Federal Police and other security agencies, an imminent terrorist attack in Sydney was disrupted."
He said the data retention laws were vital to ensuring security agencies and police were not "flying blind".
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he was still awaiting details of who would foot the $400 million bill for telcos to store and enable access to the data.
"I do think we will have to have an intelligent, cogent, sensible discussion about how it gets paid for," Mr Shorten said.
"We are as dedicated to national security as the Liberal party, but what I also recognise is that if we rush these matters we may well be creating unforeseen consequences and problems."
Greens leader Christine Milne has accused Mr Abbott of "pressing the terror button" to shore up his leadership.
Liberal frontbencher Eric Abetz told AAP on Thursday that no one doubted the prime minister's resolve to tackle terrorism.
"No matter what media scrutiny there is about his leadership, policy - including his approach to terrorism - is not an opportunity to strengthen his position," Senator Abetz said.
Monday's prime ministerial statement is expected to spell out steps to deal with groups such as Hizb-ut-Tahrir.
Mr Abbott has accused the group - which describes itself as a non-violent political party - of justifying terrorism and acting as a recruiting agent.
The PM will also reveal how the government plans to remove the "benefit of the doubt" when it comes to terrorism supporters gaining citizenship, residency, welfare benefits and court bail.
Sydney Lindt cafe gunman Man Haron Monis was on bail for serious offences at the time of the attack.
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