Greens try to halt Senate for Syria debate

The Australian Greens are seeking an urgent debate in the Senate to discuss the government's expansion of air strikes against Islamic State into Syria.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale wants parliament to vote on government plans for involvement in war and moved to suspend standing orders to discuss the issue.

He told the parliament on Wednesday debate was necessary to "ensure we're going into war that is not based on the self-interest of a prime minister who is desperate to save his political hide".

The motion failed after the Greens only managed to secure backing from independent senator Jacqui Lambie.