Australia's Chief of Navy signals bigger military presence in south-west Pacific

Australian naval operations in the Middle East could be set to taper off, with the Chief of Navy signaling the force might better serve the national interest by being deployed in the south-west Pacific. His comments come as the water-based phase of Australia's largest joint maritime exercise begins off the coast of Darwin, with China taking part for the first time.

HMAS Melbourne off the coast of Darwin during Exercise Kakadu. (AAP Image/Department of Defence) Source: Department of Defence