Australia will consider a renewed push to establish an informal naval coalition with the United States, Japan and India that would stoke fears in Beijing of a "containment" strategy.

The commander of US forces in the Pacific, Admiral Harry Harris, revived calls this week for the "quadrilateral dialogue" between the region's major democracies – an idea floated a decade ago but abandoned amid diplomatic protests by China.

Minister for Defence Marise Payne says Australia has an open mind about Admiral Harris's suggestion. Credit:Dean Lewins

Defence Minister Marise Payne kept the door open to reviving the talks when asked about Admiral Harris' remarks.

"The Australian government has a range of formal and informal mechanisms to consult with close partners and we maintain an open mind about possible new consultative arrangements," Senator Payne said.