Scott Morrison says he expects China to provide an explanation on the lasering of an Australian military aircraft by a Chinese warship off the Top End.
The prime minister said Australia is using diplomatic channels to call for an investigation into the incident and called on China to explain how such a dangerous act could be undertaken by "what is supposed to be a professional defence force".
"This is completely unacceptable and so we have demanded there be an investigation of what occurred on the vessel," he told reporters on Monday.
