The Northern Territory Government says the shift of 13 local parks and reserves to Indigenous ownership will boost employment in the bush.
An amendment to Indigenous affairs legislation in Federal Parliament this week has seen the parks handed back to traditional owners.
The areas are being leased back to the Territory Government for 99 years to run as national parks under joint management with Aboriginal owners.
Territory Environment Minister Len Kiely says the deal opens major opportunities for Aboriginal employment, and has congratulated CLP Senator Nigel Scullion for voting for the move in Canberra.
Mr Kiely says it is now time the Territory’s CLP leader Terry Mills supports the changes.
"Senator Scullion knows this is the correct decision for all Territorians.
"Now it’s time for the local CLP to do the back flip, for Terry to get on board with this."
But Mr Mills says the Territory’s parks are now at risk.
"This is another form of partitioning the Territory and it could possibly result in restricted access and restricted use of that which should be enjoyed to the benefit of every single Territorian.
"That’s the worst case scenario."