NT to roll out banned drinker register

The Northern Territory government will roll out the Banned Drinkers Register within the next 12 months in efforts to combat alcohol violence and domestic abuse.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner says it delivers on an election promise from Labor to reinstate the system after the Country Liberal Party scrapped it upon taking office in 2012.

"It's critical that we have a Territory-wide response to the problem of the sale of alcohol to problem drunks," he said on Thursday.

The BDR is an electronic system where customers must present photo identification before buying alcohol. Those on the banned list are restricted from purchasing.

Alcoholism is a big issue in Alice Springs, Katherine and Tennant Creek, where cops stand outside liquor stores to stop intoxicated people from buying booze.

"If a police officer ever has to leave the front of a bottle shop, which can happen sometimes, there is no point of sale intervention," Mr Gunner said.

"It's a full time concern."

The BDR will be phased in as the government cycles out the CLP's Alcohol Mandatory Treatment program.

Under the AMT, anyone who is drunk and detained by police three times in two months goes before a tribunal and could be forced into rehabilitation.