The Australian Greens have slammed the rushed passage of the government's mass surveillance regime through the House of Representatives thanks to a back-room deal between Tony Abbott and Bill Shorten.

"Bill Shorten has thrown the beleaguered Prime Minister a surveillance lifeline that could cost in excess of $400 million in the first year alone," Senator Scott Ludlam, Greens communication spokesperson said today.

Australian Greens Communications spokesperson Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam. 3 December 2013.

Today in Senate Question Time, Senator Ludlam asked the Attorney General whether he would assist the Prime Minister to understanding what meant by the term metadata.

"His answer could be construed as a deliberate attempt to ensure that the general public ends up as confused as the Liberal Party," said Australian Greens Communications spokesperson Senator Ludlam.