Troubled indigenous communities across Australia could share in new regional agreements with the federal government after Malcolm Turnbull visited Tennant Creek.
The Northern Territory town of about 3000 people is in the midst of a child protection and housing crisis, with Mr Turnbull the first prime minister since 1982 to visit the region.
He wants Tennant Creek to strike a regional deal with three tiers of government and indigenous groups, in similar agreements rolled out to Geelong, Townsville and western Sydney.
"Everyone's got good intentions but without co-ordination you can be like ships passing in the night," Mr Turnbull said.
He confirmed the government was looking at regional deals for other areas including regions with large indigenous populations and social disadvantage.
The crisis in Tennant Creek reached a flashpoint in February when a two-year-old girl was raped.
"You've got parents and families who've not been doing the right thing by their kids, who have abused their children, who neglected their children," Mr Turnbull said as he visited the town.
"But the reasons for that and the background to that are very complex."
Indigenous Minister Nigel Scullion said new alcohol restrictions including a three-hour window to buy takeaway grog were having results in Tennant Creek.
He's open to the new cultural authority group's proposal for the power to banish troublemakers from Tennant Creek, extending the practice of doing it in surrounding communities.
"It's a very serious matter for them - people go," Senator Scullion told AAP.
Mr Turnbull highlighted public housing shortages as the biggest issue in Tennant Creek in a two-day visit where he met with indigenous, businesses and community groups.
The prime minister drove around the streets at night but didn't see the full extent of problems, touring on Sunday, which is an alcohol free "dry day" in Tennant Creek.
Barkly Regional Council mayor Steve Edgington was delighted with progress on a regional deal, saying it's an important part of how he wants to see the housing crisis solved.
"We can't guarantee a child's safety when there's a number of visitors and people coming in from outside Tennant Creek staying at those houses," Mr Edgington told AAP.
Social Services Minister Dan Tehan will look at introducing the government's controversial cashless welfare card if there's enough community support.
"They're very interested. They've seen and heard what's happening in Ceduna and the real impacts on the ground there," Mr Tehan told AAP.
Mr Turnbull on Monday met with police to discuss Operation Haven, which is aimed at reducing family violence and alcohol abuse.
He visited a women's art centre where he was presented with a painting from acclaimed local artist Vivienne Brown.
