Premier wants army base in defence plan

New F-35 Joint Strike Fighters could be based in WA's North West as part of plans to reposition Australia's military to better protect the nation's resource riches and vital trade routes through Asia.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith announced yesterday an historic "force posture review" of the nation's defence forces and flagged shifting more troops, warships and aircraft to Australia's north and west as concerns grow about China's long-term ambitions and shifting power balances in the Indian Ocean.

Mr Smith said the review could result in new Air Warfare Destroyers and amphibious ships being berthed at Rockingham, and would not rule out basing at least some of the yet-to-be delivered F-35s somewhere in WA's north.

"There's a prospect I think as a result of the Force Posture Review that we look at other areas," Mr Smith said.

He insisted there was no current threat from China and but said it was important Beijing was "transparent" about its strategic ambitions.

"But in our relationship with China, as we have made clear on questions such as human rights and treatment of Australian citizens, we do not take a backward step on our values," Mr Smith said.

The minister's review was welcomed by Premier Colin Barnett, who said the time was right to review basing, given the increasing economic importance of the North West Shelf and the Indian Ocean.

"There are tensions in that part of the world. To position more of Australia's defence capability and capacity in the west and the north of the country makes just obvious good sense," Mr Barnett said.

He said an expansion of the military's presence would be good not just for the State's security but for its economy.

Mr Barnett called for the establishment of an army base in the north of WA, possibly at Port Hedland.

Mr Barnett said he believed WA's oil and gas assets were protected well but projects, including Browse, were increasingly moving further offshore.

Shadow State development minister Mark McGowan, whose electorate includes HMAS Stirling, welcomed the announcement but criticised Mr Barnett's proposal for an army base in WA's north, saying soldiers and their families would prefer to live in cities.

Mining billionaire Andrew Forrest said the review was overdue and urged the Government to consider how any shift in defence bases might help create indigenous jobs.

Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop said it made sense to reconfigure Australia's defences and said it was a concern that Australia did not have a significant military presence in the North West of WA.

"As well as providing enhanced surveillance and protection of our offshore oil and gas reserves, a strategic military presence would help safeguard important sea lanes to our north and west," she said.