Australia must prepare for war to preserve peace, the defence minister says, but Labor is urging the government to match its words with action.
Labor's deputy leader Richard Marles accused the government of chest-thumping on the Solomon Islands security deal with China but doing little to improve Australia's relations with Pacific nations.
Following a dawn service to commemorate Anzac Day, Defence Minister Peter Dutton said the only way to preserve peace was to "prepare for war".