As Australians pause to honour the Anzacs, Mr Dutton has escalated his rhetoric about the prospect of new conflict.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison also used his Anzac Day dawn service address to warn against the rise of autocratic nations challenging "democratic free peoples".

Mr Morrison said an "arc of autocracy" was challenging the order of nations observing international rules on trade and freedom of navigation.

"Our world is changing. War does quake Europe again. Coercion troubles our region once more," he said.

"An arc of autocracy is challenging the rules-based order our grandparents secured. And democratic free peoples are standing together again."

The speech came after Mr Morrison on Sunday warned Australia and the US wouldn't tolerate China establishing a military presence in Solomon Islands, after Beijing struck a security pact with the Pacific nation.

However, the Prime Minister has yet to clarify how Australia would react if that "red line" was crossed.

Asked on Nine's The Today Show what could be done to stop conflict breaking out, Mr Dutton said Australia had to prepare for war.

"The only way you can preserve peace is to prepare for war, and to be strong as a country ... not to cower, not be on bended knees and be, you know, weak," he said.

"That's the reality."

Labor deputy leader Richard Marles, who attended a dawn service in Darwin in place of COVID-stricken Anthony Albanese, was less assertive when asked if he agreed with Mr Dutton's comments.

"We are at a moment in our history where our strategic circumstances are as complex as any point since the end of the Second World War," he told reporters.

"And we certainly need to prepare."

Mr Marles then attacked the government, accusing it of beating its chest on national security but failing to back it up with action.

He pointed to the Coalition's management of relationships in the Pacific - a reference to the new security pact between China and Solomon Islands - as well as the sale of the Port of Darwin.

"Words are one thing. Action is another," he said.

"This is a government which beats its chest. But when it comes to actually delivering and doing what needs to be done, this is a government which repeatedly fails."

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Earlier on Monday, Mr Morrison and Mr Marles paid tribute to Ukrainians defending their nation against the Russian invasion as they honoured Australian veterans and services personnel at an Anzac Day dawn service in Darwin.

The Prime Minister, speaking at the service on Monday, said Australian troops had protected Australia's democracy and passed on a democratic inheritance.

"What ultimately matters in that task is a fierce and protective love for their nation and of their liberty, a love of home, family, community and country. A willingness to live for all of these things, but if necessary, sacrifice for something far greater than ourselves," he said.

"This morning, far away from here, the people of Ukraine are doing exactly that, and on this particular day as we honour those who fall for our liberty and freedom, we stand with the people of Ukraine who do the same thing at this very moment."

Mr Marles also acknowledged Ukrainians fighting against Russian invading forces.

Mr Marles said Darwin was "where war first met Australia".

"In the 80 years since, Territorians have continued to know war," he said, naming Darwin soldiers who died in service.