Attorney-General George Brandis is facing potential contempt of court charges if he fails to hand over a section of his ministerial diary. Picture: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Senator Brandis will also meet with CIA director Mike Pompeo, FBI director James Comey and the leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee to discuss regional and global threats.

The “Islamist terror threat” in South-East Asia, cyber security, national security and intelligence issues will be on the agenda.

Brandis will be the third Turnbull Government minister to meet with White House officials since President Donald Trump took office in January.

In a statement today, he said the visit would be an opportunity to strengthen Australia’s strong and trusted ties with the US.

“Through these discussions I will be working to further advance our co-operation in responding to regional and global threats and challenges, including the US-led coalition to counter Daesh,” Senator Brandis said.

Attorney-General George Brandis will fly to the US this week for counter terrorism talks with senior White House officials. Picture: Kym SmithSource:News Corp Australia

“I look forward to sharing insights from our region and, amongst other meetings, will discuss the Islamist terrorist threat in South East Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations.

“As we continue the fight against violent extremism and terror, the Australia-US bilateral relationship remains a cornerstone for peace, prosperity, freedom and security in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.”

Defence Minister Marise Payne was open to the possibility of boosting Australia’s military involvement in the fight against Daesh after meeting with US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis in Brussels in February.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said all requests for more troops will be assessed on their merits.

The US Attorney-General Jeff Sessions came under fire earlier this month for his communications with the Russian ambassador to the US before the Presidential election.

US Attorney-General Jeff Sessions is under fire for communications with the Russian Ambassador during the 2016 election campaign. Picture: AP Photo/Susan WalshSource:AP

During his confirmation hearing in January, Sessions had denied having any contact with any Russian officials before or after election day.

It was later revealed he had spoken to the ambassador twice during the campaign before he was an official member of Mr Trump’s team.

Mr Sessions is now facing an ethics complaint by the American Civil Liberties Union for making false statements in a sworn testimony.

Meanwhile, federal Labor has threatened Senator Brandis with potential contempt of court charges if he fails to hand over a section of his ministerial diary.

Labor has taken the first step towards the contempt-of-court proceedings as the Attorney-General has not yet complied with a Federal Court ruling to release the documents, Fairfax media reports.

Shadow Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus is threatening Senator Brandis with further legal action if he doesn’t release sections of his ministerial diary. Picture: Kym SmithSource:News Corp Australia

Lawyers for shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus have told the publication they will take the matter back to court unless Senator Brandis complies by Monday.

The stoush is over a freedom of information request Mr Dreyfus made three years ago to access sections of Senator Brandis’ diary.

The extracts covered the lead up to a budget decision to cut funding for community legal centres in 2014.

If the court agrees to the time limit, Senator Brandis could face penalties of jail or fines for failing to comply.

Senator Brandis’ office had blocked the FOI request initially, saying it would take too long to process and could pose a security threat.

But the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the Federal Court ruled the diary extracts should be released.