Australia's military will be given new powers to deploy troops during domestic terror incidents, while special forces will now have authority to shoot and kill terrorists.

The changes follow Sydney's Lindt Café siege, during which no request was made to the Defence Department by the New South Wales police for assistance.

Commentator Cath Webber said it was extraordinary the decision had not been made earlier.

"This seems long overdue,” she told Sunrise.

"The defence force, particularly the SAS, is incredibly well-trained in this area."

View photos The changes follow Sydney's Lindt Café siege, during which no request was made to the defence force by the New South Wales police for assistance. Source: Getty More

Referencing the Lindt siege tragedy where two hostages were killed, Ms Webber said police on the scene had reached their capabilities and should have been provided further assistance.

"No one wants to get to a point in a terrorism situation where you aren't in control anymore… the more collaboration that is used, the better.”

Justin Smith from 3AW said it was irrational to think just because the Army become involved in domestic affairs, they're going to declare martial law.

View photos Referencing the Lindt siege tragedy where two hostages were killed, Ms Webber said police on the scene had reached their capabilities and should have been provided further assistance. Source: Getty More

"That is not the worry here, we have to understand how unvelievably well-trained they are,” he told Sunrise.

"For years, they have been protecting the people of Afgahanistan, East Timor, Iraq – now they are going to protect us.”

For more 'Hot Topic' discussions, tune in to Sunrise from 5am on weekdays.