Turnbull distances himself from NT poll

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says voters can distinguish between the federal and Northern Territory elections.

The NT is heading to the polls on August 27, with the Country-Liberal government of Adam Giles on the nose after a series of scandals and a leadership change.

"I have great respect for the electors of Solomon, for the people of the Northern Territory, and they understand well the difference between the Territory government and the federal government," Mr Turnbull told reporters in Darwin on Tuesday.