National security is at the forefront of Labor’s latest election pledge promising to strengthen Australia’s standing in the Pacific. 

A new scheme, set to be announced by shadow minister for foreign affairs Penny Wong today, would see the creation of a defence school, funding doubled for aerial surveillance and greater access to Australian media content.

The announcement coincides with growing concern China could soon establish a military base in the Solomon Islands.

Australian Strategic Policy Institute Director Michael Shoebridge told Neil Breen he doesn’t think extra investment will help.

“We’re already the major donor for the Solomons and have been for over a decade,” he said.

“We radically outspend China on development assistance so doing more of what we’re already outspending them on seems to me to be unlikely.

“I think really we’ve got to do a better job with the populations of the South Pacific. We’ve got to get honest with them about their security environment.”

Press PLAY below to hear Michael Shoebridge take a closer look at the policy 

Image: Nine News, Getty