The Deputy Leader of the Northern Territory Opposition Gerry McCarthy has called on the Disability Services Minister John Elferink to apologise after appearing to mock his hearing disability by pretending to use sign language.

Mr McCarthy said Mr Elferink's behaviour was "totally inappropriate" and called on him to apologise to all Territorians with a hearing impairment.

The incident happened during an antagonistic exchange when a special committee was debating changes to local government legislation.

Mr McCarthy asked Minister for Local Government Bess Price to repeat her answer to a question as he claimed to have not heard her.

"Minister, I'm sorry, if you could lean into the microphone that would help me," he said.

"Are you seriously having trouble hearing?" said CLP backbencher, Matt Conlan, who was chairing the debate.

Labor MLA Natasha Fyles was heard telling Parliament: "He has hearing aids".

"In that case, Minister, would you please speak up for the Member for Barkly," Mr Conlan said.

In the footage of parliamentary proceedings, Mr Elferink was sitting behind Ms Price and can be seen leaning halfway out of the frame and appearing to use mock sign language as Ms Price repeated her answer.

Mr McCarthy said the Minister should apologise.

"It's not about me. It's about people with a hearing impairment who I share a disability with," he said.

"We need support, we don't need any mocking in the community.

"I think it's worth challenging the Minister for Disabilities for an apology to all Territorians with a hearing impairment."

Mr Elferink said he made some hand signals to Mr McCarthy in "a moment of silliness".

"The moment I did it I regretted it, and of course, if anybody's offended by my actions I unequivocally and wholesomely apologise," he said.

"I was certainly unaware he (Mr McCarthy) had any form of hearing difficulties whatsoever, he's never indicated that in the past.

"There was a certain amount of silliness going on at the time, but, look, I try to be better than that, I consistently try to be better than that, and of course when you drop the standards, that's the story of the day."

Mr Elferink denied he leant out of the camera frame on purpose, and said he was trying to get in Mr McCarthy's line of sight.

Mr Elferink has previously made complaints about the behaviour and comments of other members in Parliament.