Labor says the government must offer the opposition a briefing on any possible change of strategy.
"But more importantly they should explain to the Australian people throughthe parliament why they've changed their view," deputy opposition leaderTanya Plibersek told reporters in Canberra.
The government should also outline its strategic objective for the conflict.
"Who is it we are fighting beside, what is the government they would expectto see if IS is defeated," Ms Plibersek said.
An influential Liberal MP says Australian strike fighters should be used against Islamic State targets in Syria.
In a sign the government is considering escalating the role of Australian forces in the Middle East conflict, Liberal MP Dan Tehan says Syria is a growing threat to global security.
The backbencher reiterated his view that ground troops in a coalition-led force would "probably prove necessary".
"The public are starting to get really concerned about the threat of IS and would support the action," he told reporters.
As well, there should be a discussion about the greater use of Australian special forces now on the ground in Iraq and how to deal with the porous borders through which foreign fighters continue to flow, he said.
It was in Australia's interests to end the suffering of civilians in Syria and degrade the Islamic State caliphate, which continued to shine as "a beacon for global terrorism", Mr Tehan said.
The Greens say Mr Tehan, given his parliamentary role, should be more guarded with his comments, especially given their "grotesquely irresponsible" treatment by News Corp.
"I hope that the Abbott government has the wisdom to not take its foreign policy and defence advice from the front page of the Murdoch tabloids," deputy leader Scott Ludlam told reporters.
Justice Minister Michael Keenan said while Australia was operating in Iraq at the invitation of Baghdad, the situation in Syria was much more complicated.
"We're determined to destroy (Islamic State) and Australia as ever will play our part in that, but we need to do it in conjunction with our allies," he told Sky News.
"How we're going to effectively do that is a conversation that's constantly ongoing."
Mr Tehan said striking at Islamic State in Syria to degrade it would help blow away the delusion that lured foreign fighters and extremist groups.
"It is time we asked the US administration to do more and, if we are to ask, we must be prepared to back our request with military action," he said.
Mr Tehan said the first move by Australia should begin at the United Nations.
That meant a concerted diplomatic front, with the US leading, calling for a serious strategic response that included the option of a more sophisticated ground campaign.
"Unless we start to see meaningful global leadership on Syria, our security interests and the globe's will continue to diminish," Mr Tehan said.
Share
