Counter-terror records hidden from anti-Semitism probe

Cabinet documents regarding Australia's counter-terrorism agency won't be seen by an inquiry. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

The attorney-general has defended the decision to block the royal commission into anti-Semitism from accessing documents relating to Australia's counter-terrorism agency.

A parliamentary inquiry on Thursday was told the federal government made a public-interest immunity claim that would stop the royal commission from viewing cabinet documents that concerned the funding of ASIO in the lead up to the Bondi massacre.

The inquiry was told the immunity claim was made following advice from the prime minister's department to protect the cabinet process.

The royal commission was set up following the Bondi massacre, where 15 people died. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

ASIO told the inquiry the agency had not sought to block the commission from accessing documents.

Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the government supported the work of the royal commission and the decision to use the immunity claims were not out of the ordinary.

"Whilst it's not appropriate to comment on evidence that has been provided to the royal commission, there is nothing that the Commonwealth is doing that is novel in terms of there being cabinet confidentiality," she told ABC Radio on Friday.

"It's a well-established legal principle that cabinet documents and information of that nature attract public-interest immunity in legal proceedings and royal commissions."

Ms Rowland said other cabinet documents provided to the royal commission could be made public.

"It's important also to note that decisions about whether to disclose cabinet information are ultimately a matter for the commissioner," she said.

Michelle Rowland says the government's move to block the documents isn't novel. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

The royal commission was set up following the Bondi massacre, where 15 people died during a shooting attack at a Hanukkah festival on December 14.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called for the inquiry into anti-Semitism and social cohesion in January following political pressure, after initially rejecting calls for an inquiry.

The royal commission has been examining what police and intelligence agencies knew in the lead up to the attack in its second round of hearings, which began on Monday.

However, large amounts of evidence in the block have been given behind closed doors.