Reports suggest Australia's terrorism threat level is set to be increased, with Prime Minister Tony Abbott about to speak to the media.

Earlier this week, outgoing ASIO chief David Irvine told ABC the spy organisation was actively considered raising Australia's terror threat level, from medium to high.

Abbott will also attend the United Nations Security Council meeting on terrorism that US President Barack Obama is convening.

Leaders will discuss the urgent need for strong international co-operation to combat Islamic State (also known as ISIL or ISIS) and similar extremist groups at the UN headquarters in New York.

"I fully support President Obama's call for action and Australia will work with our international partners to combat this evil menace," Mr Abbott said in a statement on Thursday.

The high level meeting is set for September 24 and 25.

While in New York, Mr Abbott will also deliver Australia's national statement at the UN General Assembly and meet with key leaders ahead of November's G20 meeting.

Protests target Abbott

Earlier, protesters targeting Prime Minister Tony Abbott have clashed with police at Melbourne University.

Police stopped them from entering a building where Mr Abbott was giving a speech.

The prime minister managed to avoid the protest as he went inside the University of Melbourne building to officially open the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity.

One man injured as vehicles leave the Melb Uni building where Tony Abbott is opening a new medical research institute pic.twitter.com/NmvuouN0YM — Paul Dowsley (@pauldowsley7) September 12, 2014

He left in a commonwealth car as a handful of shouting protesters chased the vehicle.

Up to 200 demonstrators earlier shouted slogans and called for no cuts to education.

Paramedics help a man, injured as vehicles left Melb Uni. Unclear if Tony Abbott was in the two cars which left. pic.twitter.com/y02MPkHA0b — Paul Dowsley (@pauldowsley7) September 12, 2014

One student said he hurt his lower back as demonstrators chased the car, claiming he was tackled to the ground by police or security personnel as he waved a flag on the road.

Victoria Police said there had been no arrests.

Tony Abbott just slipped into Melb Uni easily past only ten protesters while others were elsewhere. #7NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/0NXNDXyrS5 — Paul Dowsley (@pauldowsley7) September 12, 2014

Mr Abbott cancelled a visit to Geelong's Deakin University in May amid nationwide protests against the deregulation of student fees, saying he did not want to inconvenience police and give angry students the chance to riot on national television.

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was jostled and shoved before having to be ushered by security from Sydney University in May while former Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella was forced to leave the Melbourne University campus under police escort after being accosted by protesters.

Police push back student protesters targeting Prime Minister Tony Abbott at Melbourne University. Photo: AAP



