Cracks have emerged in the bipartisan political response to the rising terrorist threat, with concern inside Labor at the extent and practicality of enhanced powers the federal government plans to grant security agencies.Labor has expressed misgivings at the onus of proof being placed on returning citizens.

A spokeswoman for Mr Dreyfus said the Opposition had been surprised to hear that bipartisan agreement had been secured before Labor had seen the foreign fighters bill.

“It would be negligent of us to give blanket support for something we haven’t seen. We have internal processes to follow,” she said.