Australia will host a regional summit on tackling extremism in mid-2015, in yet another step towards “clamping down” on terror.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop told parliament on Monday the summit will address how best to combat the “terrorist narrative”, especially how terror groups are using the internet and social media.

“This is a global threat that requires a global response and Australia is doing its part to counter-terrorism wherever it occurs,” Ms Bishop says.

• PM pushes ‘unthinkable’ terror laws further
• Tony Abbott: ‘The system has failed us’
• Lindt Cafe re-opens after terror attack
• Sydney siege victims relive their horrific ordeal

This comes as Prime Minister Tony Abbott made a statement to the nation on Monday announcing a “clamp down” on terror, in response to recent terror threats and incidents.

Mr Abbott said he would appoint a new counter terrorism boss, simplify the terror alert system and strip terror suspects of “the benefit of the doubt” in order to counteract “the most primitive savagery”.

“There is always a trade-off between the rights of the individual and community safety. We will not sacrifice our freedoms, but we will not let our enemies exploit our decency either,” he said.

Mr Abbott promised to “clamp down” on dual citizenships, legal aid, bail applications, welfare payments and “terrorist propaganda” on social media, amid warnings from legal experts and other political parties against overreach.

with AAP