A debate about the need for an independent body to investigate Indigenous deaths in custody in the Northern Territory Parliament has erupted into a war of words, with the CLP Government accusing Labor and Independent members of disrespecting police.

On Wednesday, Independent Member for Johnston, Justine Davis, introduced a motion calling on the NT Parliament to urge the Commonwealth to "urgently establish a national independent body" to "investigate, report, monitor and enforce change in relation to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in police and prison custody in Australia".

The proposed body would have the authority and resources to enforce minimum standards - reflecting long-standing calls from human rights, legal, and Indigenous groups concerned about the disproportionate number of First Nations deaths in custody.

While acknowledging that the motion came amid an active investigation - that of Warlpiri man Kumanjayi White - Ms Davis lamented, "I note that investigations are always underway in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander deaths in custody - because it is an epidemic".

"This motion speaks to something far broader than any single case. This is about systemic reform. This is an opportunity for the Northern Territory to show leadership and to call on the federal government to do its job," she said.

"I am not here to debate whether there is a crisis. The crisis is undeniable, and it is accelerating."

Independent MP Yiŋiya Mark Guyula also supported the motion, arguing it was not a criticism of police but of a broken system. He said there had been "no real improvement or systemic change" since the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

"We have not seen justice, and people are still dying," he said.

Mr Guyula said police investigating themselves undermined public confidence and placed an "unreasonable hardship on the police members to investigate themselves". He called for an "independent body - sitting separate from the police," to ensure transparency and fairness.

"When there is no clear and transparent process, it causes great division across our communities," he said.

Quoting Human Rights Commission President Hugh de Krester, Ms Davis read: "Since colonisation, Australian law has too often delivered injustice to First Nations people. Police have often been the agents of this injustice, helping to administer laws and policies like those that enabled the Stolen Generations. Mistrust continues between First Nations communities and police. When police investigate themselves, it breeds mistrust and increases the risks of poor investigations and lack of accountability."

After reading the quote, Ms Davis added: "This is not a criticism of the police, it is a criticism of systems where we get someone who is potentially in a position of having caused harm to investigate themselves. That does not engender trust in a system that we all need to trust."

Despite her contextualising, the comments prompted an angry response from the government.

Deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley said he was "completely disgusted and offended by the words" of Ms Davis, accusing her of suggesting police were "untrustworthy".

A draft Hansard does not show Ms Davis using those words.

Mr Maley described the repeating Mr de Krester's comments as "embarrassing".

Although the motion focused specifically on First Nations deaths in custody - which account for around 30 per cent of deaths in custody in 2025, despite Indigenous people representing less than 4 per cent of the population - Mr Maley questioned, "Why are we limiting it to one group of people? Why are we not referring to all Territorians?" He accused Ms Davis of trying to "divide" the community.

In response, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Dheran Young said, "It is clear the CLP does not have a plan to take action and prevent future deaths in custody".

"It is not willing to rebuild the trust between Aboriginal communities and take the necessary steps that will protect some of the most vulnerable in our community."

Mr Young accused the government of passing laws without consultation and removing funding from programs that work.

"It [the CLP] has taken away resourcing from programs that work and systematic reform for the NT police, programs that would reduce over-incarceration of Aboriginal Territorians and build a pathway towards positive relationships between the community and the justice system," he said.

Since its landslide election win last year, the CLP Government has faced strong criticism from Indigenous, legal, and human rights groups over its "tough on crime" policies - including lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 10, reintroducing spit hoods in youth detention, expanding mandatory sentencing, and proposing to arm public safety officers, which critics labelled a "deeply irresponsible escalation."

Indigenous groups - including the powerful land councils - have accused the government of failing to consult meaningfully and treat them as equal partners.

Mr Guyula said the CLP failed to understand the issues faced by Indigenous communities, in part, because it included no Indigenous MPs.

"It is not their families or their clans who are suffering under this system, so they do not understand the damage that is being caused," he said. "It is Aboriginal people that are filling the watch houses and the prisons. Non-Indigenous people tend to get bail."

He cited the case of Jack Danby, who was bailed - and then received no prison time - after pleading guilty to hit-and-run driving causing death, calling it a "clear example that people who are non-Indigenous do not spend weeks and months in watch houses and jails".

"They get bail and even when they are convicted of a crime, they are sent home. It is Aboriginal people who are suffering in this system," he said. "It is causing damage to my people and all the people who are stuck in a system that is broken."

The motion was defeated.