Labor calls for debate on Syria

The opposition are calling for a debate on Australia's long term plan in Syria, as the situation becomes increasingly complex.

Federal Labor has taken aim at Julie Bishop's "emoji diplomacy" as it demands a parliamentary debate on Australia's mission in the Middle East.

"The situation is increasingly complex - we've heard the foreign minister change her position on how acceptable [Syrian President] Bashar al-Assad is and I think it is important that this is not done through emoji diplomacy or comments dropped in press conferences," foreign affairs spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek told reporters in Canberra.

The government needed to articulate its long-term goals through a parliamentary debate, she said.