While Australia remains the primary aid provider in the Pacific, China is pumping more and more funds into the Solomon Islands and Kiribati.
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A deep dive into aid in the Pacific has revealed China's financing of the region had continued to decline since its peak in 2016 to 2021.
But funds for new developments are being targeted toward the Solomon Islands and Kiribati, the two most recent Pacific nations to switch allegiances from Taiwan to China.
"In both countries, sizeable new financing from China has displaced existing support from Taiwan," the report from the Lowy Institute says.
"China has not given up on using development assistance to cement key relationships."
Concerns have been raised over the actions of the Solomon Islands and Kiribati governments.
The former signed a security pact with China and threatened journalists critical of Beijing, while the rule of law is under threat in the latter with the government suspending judges who ruled against it.
Opposition foreign affairs spokesman and former minister Simon Birmingham told AAP specific areas of concern in the region include democratic principles like freedom of the press.
"It's important to make sure we work as closely as we can to ensure Pacific nations who are wanting to advance their democracies, along with economic development, are empowered to do so," he said.
"Where undue restrictions are placed on the media, or where a diminution of electoral processes and democratic processes are occurring, of course, Australia should raise those concerns."
Senator Birmingham said communication needed to be done respectfully, acknowledging the right of sovereign nations to choose their own paths.
But he said Australia should be "providing as much support for the conduct of free, fair and safe elections across the region as nations will welcome".
Australia recently helped prop up the Papua New Guinea election and is looking to strike a security deal that will see defence personnel from both countries work more closely together.
But while the Australian Defence Force and federal police supported the poll through the deployment of more than 130 personnel, the election was still plagued by violence and electoral stuff ups.
Australia maintains that while it will respond to areas of need identified by PNG, any issues with elections needed to be dealt with by local laws and mechanisms.
"We look forward to continuing to build on this relationship as we plan for future activities," Defence Minister Richard Marles said.
Australian Associated Press
