PM won't intervene in NT govt dispute

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he has no plans to intervene in a bitter dispute that has divided the Northern Territory's Country Liberal government.

The Giles government's grip on power has been weakened by three indigenous MPs - Alison Anderson, Francis Xavier and Larissa Lee - after the trio walked out of parliament last week and threatened to move to the crossbenches.

The backbenchers are angry at the treatment of the Ms Anderson, the dumped minister who faces being sacked from the party.

They are also critical of the CLP government for failing to deliver on its election promises to the bush.

The disgruntled MPs have called on Mr Abbott to intervene in the NT - a plea rejected by the prime minister on Sunday.

"Alison Anderson is a very, very fine and articulate voice of indigenous Australia - I deeply respect Alison Anderson," Mr Abbott told reporters in Sydney.

"In the end though, the relationship between Alison and (Chief Minister) Adam Giles is a matter for Alison and for Adam."

Next month's Blain by-election will be the test of the embattled CLP's ability to retain power in the NT.

The seat has been vacant since dumped chief minister Terry Mills quit politics in February, and the CLP faces a large swing against it.

If it loses and the three bush members leave the CLP, Mr Giles will have to rule as a minority government, provided independent Gerry Wood agrees to guarantee supply.