Govt eyes indigenous alcohol inquiry

The federal government is planning an inquiry into alcohol misuse in indigenous communities across the nation.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion is in early talks with the chair of the House of Representatives' standing committee on indigenous affairs Dr Sharman Stone.

Alcohol-fuelled violence in indigenous communities will be considered for the inquiry's terms of reference.

Earlier on Wednesday Senator Scullion told ABC radio the federal government was planning a wide-ranging inquiry into alcohol-fuelled violence across the country - from downtown Sydney to remote outback communities.

However, the coalition government later put that down to a misunderstanding, with a spokesman for Senator Scullion saying the inquiry would only look into alcohol misuse in indigenous communities.