The government has set aside $17 million for the body.

"We must move beyond the notion that some people have that the internet and social media are a lawless state, they are not," he said.

"One of the learnings from this conference in Washington today is that social media, the internet, cyberspace, are one of the most sophisticated techniques and tools that terrorist groups like ISIL take advantage of."

He said another attendee at the summit had noted that the so-called Islamic State had learned to "weaponise the internet" like no other group before it.

The US President, Barack Obama, as well as the Secretary of State, John Kerry, both attended the summit, which included representatives of almost 80 nations, to share information about combating violent extremism.

Though some have criticised the gathering as directionless, Mr Brandis said it had been important in bringing together the broadest ever international coalition to combat extremism, and including private enterprise and  clergy and civil groups as well as government representatives.

"There are specific proposals, yes, but I think the most important thing is that the conference is happening at all. Compare the reaction of the United States government almost a decade and a half ago after the events of September 11. After the events of September 11 the United States government acted if not unilaterally then largely in partnership with their strategic partners.

"The approach of the United States government led by President Obama today is entirely different."

At the summit, Mr Obama stressed that US efforts were focused on combating extremism rather than a single religion.

"Violent extremists and terrorists thrive when people of different religions or sects pull away from each other and are able to isolate each other and label them as 'they' as opposed to 'us'; something separate and apart," said Mr Obama.

"So we need to build and bolster bridges of communication and trust," he said.