Labor has outlined its Pacific policy

Labor has outlined its Pacific policy after days of criticising the government in its handling of the region. Labor will commit an extra half billion dollars over the next four years, as concerns grow China could set up a military base in Solomon Islands.

Source: AAP

As tensions across the Pacific loom large, a war of words is taking place back home.  Labor has again criticised the government for its response to a deal signed by Solomon Islands and China - Foreign Affair's spokesperson Penny Wong is warning of the potential consequences, especially the  prospect of a Chinese base less than 2,000km from Australia's coastline would be dramatically detrimental to Australia's security interests.