The Northern Territory Chief Minister says there will be no "knee-jerk" announcements in response to a snap review of alcohol restrictions in Alice Springs, while the Prime Minister says he is open to "immediate" action if warranted.
The report, which was due to be handed to both governments today, was to advise on whether the bans should be temporarily reinstated to try and ease a spike in crime and alcohol-fuelled violence.
At a press conference on Wednesday morning, NT Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said she would provide the federal government with the "agreed report" later today.
A spokesperson confirmed Ms Fyles was yet to receive the report at the time.
The Chief Minister said she and NT Attorney-General Chansey Paech were today travelling to Canberra to discuss "any proposed actions".
"We'll be meeting with the prime minister tomorrow so that we can work through these issues and come up with long term solutions to change the tragic statistics we see in the Northern Territory," she said.
"We have been doing an enormous amount of work since we came to government, as have previous territory governments.
"We want to make sure that as we step forward, that these are thought-out and based on evidence."
Mr Albanese took questions at a later press conference about the report, which was tasked to senior NT public servant and Alice Springs-based Arrernte woman Dorelle Anderson.
He said he was yet to receive it but wanted to see action on it "as soon as possible".
"But I also understand that some of these issues are inter-generational, there aren't easy off-the-shelf solutions," he said.
"It's not just about alcohol — it's about employment, it's service delivery, it's about getting staff on the ground."
Asked if he would act on the draft provided this week or wait for further work, he said: "If there are recommendations which suggest immediate action, then I’m certainly up for it."
The NT's peak Aboriginal health groups and federal Labor members have argued for the temporary reinstatement of alcohol bans, which they said the NT government let lapse without a proper transition plan.
On Wednesday Ms Fyles said the "opt-out" option was "on the table" but suggested it could breach the federal Racial Discrimination Act.
She told reporters the report would not be publicly released until a later date and did not say when.
"People would appreciate that we are not taking a kneejerk reaction, that we are working through this thoroughly with the Commonwealth government," she said.
Asked if she agreed with the prime minister's comment yesterday that "all governments could have done better" in handling the end of the alcohol bans last year, Ms Fyles said: "Hindsight is a wonderful thing."
Around 30 child removals in central Australia in December, January
In response to Monday night's meeting of Alice Springs residents considering a class action over crime damage, Ms Fyles said her government was doing ongoing work on the underlying causes of crime.
She was not asked about the concerns of some residents about racism in Alice Springs and threats of vigilantism.
She also revealed that 30 children had been taken into child protection in central Australia over December and January, when asked if the government was doing enough to protect children affected by the problems in the region.
"We can't keep doing that. We have to empower families and parents," she said.
"We have to address the substance abuse issues, and we have to make sure those children have the best future which is with their family."
Labor senator Malarndirri McCarthy said on Wednesday afternoon she wanted to see action on the reporter "quite immediately".
"I understand the Chief Minister has to have a long-term plan," she said.
"[But] I think in the immediate instance, there has to be something else done.
"People need reprieve now, they need circuit-breakers and they need resourcing."
She said the NT parliament does have the legal power to reimpose the restrictions with an opt-out option.
