Troops should be in Iraq combat: MP

Liberal MP Dennis Jensen believes Australian troops should be on the ground in combat roles fighting against Islamic State in Iraq.

Australian and New Zealand military forces (AAP) Source: Department of Defence

A federal government MP wants Australian troops fighting on the ground against Islamic State in Iraq, but only if the mission is led by the United States.

Responding to Foreign Minister Julie Bishop's declaration that Australia would consider sending more troops to Iraq if asked, Dennis Jensen says he'd like to see their roles expanded to combat.

"Obviously, we have to follow the lead of the United States but my personal view is that it's absolutely necessary that ground troops are deployed," he told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.