Prime Minister Tony Abbott came to Arnhem Land to give his undivided attention to indigenous Australians but that may no longer be feasible.
Mr Abbott boarded his plane to Nhulunbuy minutes after announcing the deployment of troops to Iraq as part of a multi-national effort to combat Islamic State.
About 600 troops will be deployed, initially in a humanitarian capacity which could develop into a combat mission.
The announcement came after Australia received a specific request from the US government to contribute forces to the region.
But it wasn't going to stop Mr Abbott making good on his pre-election promise to spend a week in indigenous communities.
"It is important that the government carry on as usual despite the grave decision we have made this morning," he told reporters in Darwin on Sunday.
However, the deployment is likely to redirect some of his attention away from indigenous issues like constitutional recognition and native land leases.
Mr Abbott will stay in close contact with Canberra officials about the deployment while in Arnhem Land and will have access to secure communications to do so.
Some personnel could be deployed this week.
A tent compound on the outskirts of Nhulunbuy will become Mr Abbott's base for six days, as he and his ministers take government functions to the top end.
The campsite is on Yolngu ceremonial ground, the same site that hosts the annual Garma Festival, and to where Mr Abbott was invited by Galarrwuy Yunupingu.
Mr Abbott shared a cup of tea with Mr Yunupingu shortly after his arrival and ahead of a dinner with the indigenous leader on Sunday night.
The prime minister was earlier officially invited into the region with a welcome to country at the Yirrikala Arts Centre along with his parliamentary secretary Alan Tudge and Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion.
Mr Abbott has spent time in various indigenous communities, working as a teachers aid and truancy helper, and has pledged to spend one week every year in indigenous communities for the remainder of his public life.
This time he will participate in conservation work with rangers on a remote island, meet school attendance officers and visit local businesses.
The prime minster will fly out of north east Arnhem Land on Friday, days before heading to New York where further measures to fight IS will be on the agenda.
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