Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will issue today the counter-terrorism white paper and commit $67 million over four years to introduce biometric checks for visa applications processed in about 10 countries.

The system is billed as a ''significant new element'' in the Government's response to the global terrorism threat.

Mr Rudd commissioned the white paper after terrorist attacks in Mumbai in November 2008, which left more than 170 people dead and over 300 wounded.

The Opposition has accused the Government of ''dangerous complacency'' for delaying the distribution of the document.

It was expected by the end of last year but will be issued today.

Its assessment is the global jihadist movement including al-Qaeda and groups with a similar world view is the main threat to Australia's security.

It will make clear that terrorist threats have evolved since 2004 when the previous white paper was issued.

There have been successes in counter-terrorism including applying pressure on al-Qaeda hubs in Afghanistan and Pakistan and taking action against terrorists in South-East Asia. But the break-throughs are offset by the rise of groups particularly in Somalia and Yemen inspired by al-Qaeda's message.

There is also an increase in the threat posed by home-grown terrorists people born and raised in Australia who become influenced by ''violent jihadist messages''.

For more on this story, see the print edition of today's Canberra Times.