Jay Weatherill says he agrees with Indigenous Affairs Minister Mal Brough, that it is necessary sometimes to take the children from their families for their own safety.
“There is always going to be ... there are also going to be occasions when, as a last resort, children need to be removed to keep them safe. But to look at that as the only solution to this problem would be a mistake,” Mr Weatherill said.
Mr Weatherill says the first priority of federal and state governments must be to provide adequate police, child-protection, health and welfare services.
He says they then can work with local communities to address domestic violence and child abuse.
Mr Weatherill says, while that is the way to achieve a long-term solution, immediate action may be needed at times to protect vulnerable children.