Scott Morrison cops spray on Today Show: 'IT'S EMBARRASSING'

Scott Morrison was pressed on his handling of Solomon Islands' controversial security agreement with China, with Today host Karl Stefanovic telling the prime minister he "undercooked this big time".

Doing the rounds on breakfast television on Friday, Mr Morrison was asked by veteran host if he had spoken with Manasseh Sogavare, the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands following the news of the deal with China.

"Yes, I have. Not in recent days, but we've had many conversations," Mr Morrison said.

"I visited there. It was the first place I visited after the last election. And I'm very concerned about the issues there."

However, Stefanovic cut the PM off, saying he "obviously" meant if Mr Morrison had spoken with Mr Sogavare after the announcement of the deal.

Mr Morrison admitted he hadn't and said that is why he sent the Minister for the Pacific Zed Seselja "to convey some very clear messages on my behalf to the Prime Minister".

He went on to say Mr Sogavare had made his decision and that there was "no opportunity" in Mr Morrison's opinion, to change his mind.

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Mr Morrison acknowledged the new alliance was a "long time coming" when Mr Stefanovic pointed out the Solomon Islands changed alliances from democratic Taiwan to China back in 2019.

"I mean, why not act then? You undercooked this big time, didn't you? It's embarrassing," Mr Stefanovic said.

"No, Karl. I think that's not how this has played out. I mean, the very issue you're talking about is what Manasseh Sogavare and I spoke about when I was in Honiara three years ago," he said.

"I mean, the Australian government, the US government has the same position in relation to Beijing and Taipei as the Solomon Islands government has. I mean, they're a sovereign government."

Countries in the Pacific make their own decisions and are not "an extension of Australia", Mr Morrison said, adding there are pressures from the Chinese Communist Party in the region and around the world.

Morrison slams Labor's historic China comments

Mr Morrison then shifted the attention to deputy Labor leader Richard Marles, claiming he is advocating for the Chinese Government "to do exactly what they're now doing".

Speaking to the ABC, Mr Marles said the prime minister misinterpreted his remarks which were made years ago, when he said it was a "good thing" China providing developmental assistance in the Pacific.

"When we were in government, we were winning the strategic contest with China in the Pacific," he said.

"I would never have imagined that the Morrison government could stuff things up so badly as they have now that we would see this security agreement signed between China and Solomon Islands."

Mr Morrison was also grilled about the deal on Sunrise, where Natalie Barr questioned why Mr Morrison didn't do more to intervene in preventing China's increased military presence on Australia's doorstep.

However he said there was "no credible information" suggesting there would be a Chinese naval base in the Solomon Islands.

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