Aborigines threaten to shut Uluru

Bans on alcohol and pornography were introduced along with strict controls on how welfare payments were spent.

But Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said he remained committed to the initiative.

Addressing an Australian Labor Party conference in Queensland, Mr Rudd said the government's priority was to improve the lives of indigenous people.

"Progress has been made in the last 12 months, but much remains to be done to meet our targets to close the gap on indigenous life opportunities," he said.

'Racist legislation'

The so-called "intervention" in the Northern Territory was introduced by former Prime Minster John Howard's conservative government.

Chronic disadvantage had led to Aboriginal life expectancy being 17 years below that of other Australians.