Labor warns of legal issues around Syria

But Prime Minister Tony Abbott says while the legalities of helping with air strikes over Syria are different to Iraq, where the government invited Australia to fight, the moralities are exactly the same.

“It would be a disaster for Australia because what we have been seeing on an nearly daily basis is the continued lure that this terrorist group, that this incipient terrorist state, is providing to misguided and impressionable young Australians”, AAP quoted Abbott who spoke to reporters in Perth on Friday. The sort of work that we’re doing in Iraq to extend into the border area of Syria.

The Government has until now said the legal situation was stopping it from joining the United States-led air campaign over the war-torn territory.

“(ISIS) is a movement of nearly incalculable, unfathomable evil and it’s very important that Australia play its part in the campaign to disrupt, degrade and ultimately destroy this death cult”, he said.

Labor frontbencher Ed Husic also voiced concerns about a potential escalation of air combat operations into Syria before receiving the US request.

The Abbott government will spend at least a week considering whether Australia should join the fight against Islamic State in Syria.

“The contribution of Australia (for air strikes in Syria) isn’t really a game changer one way or another”, Vice-Admiral Johnston said.

“When it comes to fighting terror we are all in this together.but what we want to make sure of is we get the right information”, Mr Shorten said.

She said the government had Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s full support but his deputy always seemed to take another stance.

Labor MP Nick Champion says unlike the US, Australia is a signatory to the global Criminal Court, meaning any illegal action in Syria could leave Australian soldiers vulnerable to worldwide court action.