A Northern Territory MP has proposed legislation that would prevent the
use of traditional law as a factor in sentences involving sexual offences
against minors.

The Director of Public Prosecution is appealing against a court decision
last year that saw an Aboriginal man sentenced to one day's jail for
having sex with his 15-year-old promised wife.

The Independent Member for Braitling, Loraine Braham, says her proposed
amendment is not an attack on customary law.

"This amendment is not about outlawing promised marriage or traditional
marriage - I'm certainly not trying to undermine that at all," he said.

"All I'm saying is that we shouldn't condone acts that in fact take
advantage of young Aboriginal girls under the name of customary law."