Scullion hits out at ABC over Don Dale

Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion has lashed out at the ABC for refusing to allow him to pre-watch its program about abuse at a Northern Territory juvenile justice centre.

Senator Scullion said he was advised about the Four Corners program on Don Dale at midday on the day it aired, and asked his office to contact the ABC to see if he could watch it ahead of time because he was unavailable later that night.

He told parliament on Thursday he was "very disappointed" the ABC declined his request.

The senator came under fire after the program aired, having admitted he was out to dinner at the time it was broadcast and watched it later at the prime minister's request.