PRIME Minister Scott Morrison will woo Pacific nations with Home and Away and a greater military presence as part of a broader plan to strengthen Australia’s ties.

The Federal Government will also offer billions of dollars in infrastructure grants and long-term loans as it moves to combat China’s growing influence in the region.

In a speech to be delivered in Townsville today, Mr Morrison will outline how Australia will “step up” in the Pacific and shift its foreign aid focus towards its diplomatic backyard.

He will announce measures to boost relations, including more navy deployments for training and exercises, partnering with commercial media outlets to beam more Australian content into the Pacific and a new sports diplomacy program to bring people together.

“Australia’s national security and that of the Pacific are intertwined,” Mr Morrison will say at the Army’s Lavarack Barracks.

“My Government is returning the Pacific to where it should be — front and centre of Australia’s strategic outlook, foreign policy and personal connections, including at the highest levels of government.”

The new commitments come despite Mr Morrison ruling out increasing the overall foreign aid budget, with the Government to redirect funds to the Pacific to make the region a priority.

Amid concerns China is courting Pacific nations with infrastructure and loans, Mr Morrison will unveil a $2 billion Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific to support essential development and “stretch our aid dollars further”.

He will ask Parliament for an extra $1 billion in callable capital to Australia’s export financing agency for investments in the region that have a “broad national benefit” for Australia.

It is understood the speech will make no explicit mention of China but the “reorientation” would go some way to countering the largesse flowing into tiny nations such as Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands from Beijing.

Ahead of next week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation and East Asia summits, the Government has approached TV broadcasters about getting more lifestyle, news, current affair, drama and children’s programs to the Pacific community.

“What better way of staying connected than through the people, the lifestyle and the everyday experiences we are lucky enough to enjoy,” Mr Morrison will say.

In a speech last week, Opposition leader Bill Shorten promised to put Pacific “front and centre” in Australia’s foreign policy if elected, and ensure that those islands looking for partners to help them build infrastructure “look to Australia first”.