PM says US right to expect ally payment

Malcolm Turnbull says the US is right to expect defence allies make a significant contribution to their own defence.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull believes the US has a right to expect allies pay for their own defence.

US president-elect Donald Trump has previously vowed to make American allies in Europe and Asia take up more of the costs for their defence.

"The United States is entitled to expect its allies to make a commitment, a significant commitment, to their own defence and to that partnership. And Australia does," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Canberra on Wednesday.