NT should have anti-corruption body: Labor

Instead of running away from transparency, the Northern Territory government should immediately institute an anti-corruption commission, the opposition says.

An Ombudsman's report into an NT police scandal that cost the former commissioner his job - as well as the demotion of a crime commander - has suggested the NT government consider establishing an ICAC-style body.

Labor spokeswoman Nicole Manison said on Friday if the party wins the next election it would establish an anti-corruption body in the NT.

"Territorians have just lost faith in government. There have been major questions about the integrity of government and its conduct. An ICAC-style body is certainly going to help to get to the bottom of some of those issues," she told reporters on Friday.

She called on the Country Liberals government to make the same commitment: "It is something that needs to be done."

Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw last week announced the establishment of a special references unit within the Professional Standards Command to investigate corruption, matters of political sensitivity and conflicts of interest. This was an alternative suggested by Ombudsman Peter Shoyer.

But it shouldn't be a matter of police investigating police, Ms Manison said.

Mr Shoyer noted that was a problem when police being investigated were very senior, in the case of John McRoberts, the NT's top cop.

Mr McRoberts stood down in January after allegations surfaced that he had interfered in the investigation of his friend Xana Kamitsis, a travel agent facing the Supreme Court on charges of defrauding a government-subsidised pensioner travel scheme by more than $100,000.

Crime Commander Richard Bryson was also demoted to superintendent last week due to his failure to declare his friendship with Ms Kamitsis, the former chair for NT Crimestoppers.

The government last year backed down from holding an inquiry into political donations and has refused to set up an anti-corruption body.

"It's a shame they're running away from being a government that's more transparent, open and accountable to Territorians," Ms Manison said.