Police in the Northern Territory have been given major new powers to call snap, three-day curfews, after last month's ban on children entering the Alice Springs CBD.

The Territory's police commissioner will be able to call a curfew if they believe there's a risk of "public disorder" - but lawyers and children's advocates have raised the alarm, warning the law will undermine civil liberties and lead to discrimination.

Guest: Shahleena Musk, NT Children's Commissioner