Federal Labor has warned Australia needs to shake itself out of its "holding pattern" on Pacific policy.
Opposition defence spokesman Richard Marles has made the case that Australia should put the Pacific on the same strategic pedestal as the US and China.
"In truth, it is for Australia to earn its natural place as the partner of choice for these nations," he told the Centre for Strategic International Studies in Washington.
"We need to demonstrate leadership which starts with making it clear that we care about the Pacific."
Speculation in April that China was planning to build a military base in Vanuatu set tongues wagging in Australia.
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"China is spreading its wings and asserting itself within a region that includes the Pacific," Mr Marles said.
"We can complain but we are unlikely to change China's direction."
He said Pacific nations will welcome all interest shown in them and Australia has no right to expect them to do otherwise.
Meanwhile, Minister for the Pacific Concetta Fierravanti-Wells is visiting New Caledonia.
Her trip coincides with the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron and other Pacific leaders.
Mr Macron is visiting the French territory to rally support to remain part of France ahead of a November independence referendum, which is the last step in a three-decade-long decolonisation process.
Recent polling suggests people will vote to remain.
Senator Fierravanti-Wells will have talks with French government and Pacific leaders about climate change, aid and environmental issues.
"Australia is stepping up its engagement in the prosperity, security and stability of our region, in line with a vision for an open, inclusive and prosperous Indo-Pacific as a whole," she said.
