The Governor of Manus has slammed Australia over plans to redevelop a joint naval base on the island in Papua New Guinea, saying he has never been consulted on the deal.

Key points: Governor Benjamin said the plan is in the interests of Australia and the US, not Manus locals

Governor Benjamin said the plan is in the interests of Australia and the US, not Manus locals He said he does not trust Australia, claiming they would not pay locals fairly for the work

He said he does not trust Australia, claiming they would not pay locals fairly for the work Head of PNG Defence said the improved base will help PNG protect trade routes

Manus Governor Charlie Benjamin told the ABC's Pacific Beat program that the deal to redevelop the Lombrum naval base was unnecessary and that he does not believe the base serves the interests of locals.

"To be honest PNG is not at war and we do not need any help right now, simply by coming to Lombrum is accommodating the interests of Australia and America," Mr Benjamin told Pacific Beat.

"Nobody has spoken to us."

He said he does not trust Australia to work on the base, claiming that they would pay their own workers high wages, while local PNG workers would only receive the minimum wage.

Mr Benjamin added that the Australia-run detention centre on Manus has given the island a bad reputation.

His comments echo those of others from Manus who are critical of the deal, including former MP Ronnie Knight, who told Pacific Beat earlier this month the plan was "bulldozed through" without local consultation.

The deal to redevelop the Lombrum naval base was first announced in November by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who said it would enhance the connection and cooperation between Australia and the Pacific nation.

It comes amid growing anxiety about China's increasing influence in the region, which came to a head at the APEC summit.

During the APEC summit US Vice-President Mike Pence said the US would also be involved in the project, with PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill thanking the US for their support.

The naval base deal is expected to have significant implications for Papua New Guinea ( AP: Mark Schiefelbein )

Despite Mr Benjamin and other local figures voicing their concern about the plan, PNG Defence Force head Gilbert Toropo told Pacific Beat that he welcomed the international involvement.

"With our small navy we have limited capacity to control and provide services to our huge maritime area," Mr Toropo said.

"So with both US and Australia's naval presence in Manus, it will give us an added advantage for us to effectively police our borders and monitor the major supply routes."

Mr Morrison said the deal will help improve the collaboration between Australia and PNG. ( Department of Defence: Sgt W. Guthrie )

Former PNG Defence Force head Jerry Singirok is also in favour of the base, but said it is critical that the Manus community is brought along in the process.

"There has to be a greater consultation, because that was never done in the case of the opening of the asylum," Mr Singirok told Pacific Beat.

He said the Opposition is already considering pursuing legal avenues against the plan, due to the lack of government consultation with the local community.

Australia already has a strong presence in PNG and has docked ships at the Lombrum base.

Part of the concern on Manus is that not enough detail about the deal has been released, particularly surrounding the possible deployment of greater numbers of Australian and US personnel on vessels at the base once it is redeveloped.

But Foreign Minister Marise Payne told the ABC's 7.30 program on Monday that it would not be a "very big expansion" on Australia's current operation in PNG and there would "not necessarily" be any Australian ships at the base.

"I think it's important to remember that it's a Papua New Guinea naval base … which Papua New Guinea has invited Australia and the US to partner with," Ms Payne told 7.30.

"We do a lot of this work. The defence cooperation program that we have with Papua New Guinea is our largest defence cooperation program in the world."

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She said the base needed to be upgraded to accommodate the new guardian-class patrol boats, which will be gifted to PNG by Australia as part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program.

Ms Payne said details are yet to be finalised about which nation will be making the biggest contribution to the base.