Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek has hit back at Julie Bishop's accusation she is advocating for a "terrorists' picnic" in Syria.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott appears to be laying the groundwork for Australia to extend its airstrikes against Islamic State extremists from Iraq into Syria, confirming he has been in talks with Coalition partners.

Tanya Plibersek had argued Australia's assistance should primarily be "humanitarian".

In Question Time, the Foreign Minister picked up on those concerns.

"I was shocked to learn that the Deputy Leader of the Opposition has broken ranks and is now attacking government policy on the fight against terrorism," Julie Bishop told Parliament.

"The member for Sydney wants Australia's Defence Forces to cease the airstrikes against Daesh [Islamic State] and she wants our fighter jets to drop food hampers over Syria. And guess who'll end up feasting on them? A terrorists' picnic."

Ms Plibersek responded in Parliament, describing the suggestion she had advocated for food hampers as a "pathetic lie".

"Australia can and should be doing more to help victims of Daesh in Syria, and in neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. To say that this is calling for food drops to Daesh is a pathetic lie," Ms Plibersek said.

She said she was verballed by Ms Bishop's suggestion she had attacked the Government policy to combat terrorism.

"That's false, I have provided and Labor has provided bipartisan support for Australia's intervention in Iraq against Daesh," she said.

"I support and Labor supports the current mission against Daesh in Iraq."