'Regional mate' Aust here to help: PM

Tony Abbott has committed Australia to do everything it reasonably can to help Vanuatu get back on its feet after the South Pacific nation was flattened by Cyclone Pam.

As Australian Defence Force planes fly in humanitarian supplies, medical personnel and urban search teams, the prime minister described Australia as a good neighbour and a "regional mate".

"We will be doing everything we reasonably can do to help because that's what Australia does," Mr Abbott told Radio 2SM on Wednesday.

Opposition foreign affairs spokeswoman Tanya Plibersek said the government cut aid to Vanuatu by $6 million in its 2014 budget and there were potentially further cuts in the mid-year update.

"Our initial $5 million aid support after Cyclone Pam was less than the money we had cut," she told reporters in Canberra, adding it was likely Australia would have to give greater assistance.