Labor has hit back at the federal government's characterisation of its national security stance, calling it desperate and saying it risks allowing China to exploit division.
It follows the brewing of a khaki election with the prime minister and defence minister accusing Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese as being an appeaser and China's choice of leader.
Labor's deputy leader Richard Marles stressed the federal opposition's position on national security is no different to the government's, accusing Scott Morrison of politicising national security after recent attacks on Labor being "soft" on China.
"The prime minister is clearly trying to create a political issue in the context of the upcoming election around national security," Mr Marles told ABC Radio on Wednesday.
"It shows a level of desperation in terms of trying to find an issue for the election."
Labor senator Tim Ayres attacked Foreign Minister Marise Payne for not walking back the comments of the prime minister and defence minister.
"You've had a series of opportunities to reassert the value of what is a many decades long tradition of bipartisanship on national security questions in the face of a sleazy and desperate assault on the national interest by the defence minister and the prime minister," he said.
The statement, which committee chair Eric Abetz tried to cut off, sparked a heated exchange with Senator Payne.
"I reject your editorial characterisation," she said.
The interaction followed on from Labor senator Kristina Keneally pushing foreign affairs officials and the foreign minister on the importance of bipartisanship following Liberal attacks.
A senior foreign affairs official said China is seeking to exploit social division, as the Liberals ramp up its attacks on Labor as weak on national security.
"It's fair to say the Chinese system seeks to exploit social and other divisions in countries to pursue its interests. That's very apparent," department deputy secretary Justin Hayhurst said.
"Clearly, at a time of strategic and security challenges, having the right systems and high levels of social cohesions, these things better equip countries to handle disruption challenges, security threats and risks."
Nationals senator Matt Canavan denied the government was trying to amp up national security concerns on China in the lead up to the election due by May.
"This is most important (issue) facing our nation," he told the Nine Network on Wednesday.
Senator Canavan said a government needed to stand up for sovereignty in relation to threats from China.
The head of the Australian National University's National Security College, Rory Metcalfe, said bipartisan gains on national security in the region could be lost due to verbal attacks by both major parties.
"There's a risk with this deep politicisation of national security in the lead-up to the election, of putting some of the (security) gains at risk," he told ABC TV.
"We can't afford as a nation to lose a moment in building a bipartisan agenda on national security, because it is an incredibly contested world, either on the brink of war in Europe or in a long-term strategic struggle with China in the Indo-Pacific."
