There’s been mixed reaction to Michael Gunner’s decision to resign as Northern Territory chief minister for personal reasons.

May 10, 2022

Business groups, Labor colleagues and a powerful Indigenous land council have praised outgoing Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner, but others have criticised his environmental record.

The first Top End-born NT leader resigned on Tuesday, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family after steering the territory through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Northern Land Council and Labor colleagues praised Mr Gunner, including federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese and his predecessor Bill Shorten.

Former jogging partner Mr Shorten was supportive as he reflected on his “great territory story”.

“First territory born kid to grow up and become chief minister,” he said via social media.

“Starting out in modest circumstances and doing it tough. Led remarkably during COVID. Go well, to a good friend and Darwin running buddy.”

Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan wished Mr Gunner well,  describing him as “a pragmatic and fundamentally decent leader” and an asset to the National Cabinet during the pandemic.

The NLC thanked Mr Gunner for his service to Aboriginal Territorians, with chair Samuel Bush-Blanasi saying the pair had worked closely.

“Michael texted earlier today and informed me that he would announce during his speech that he would be retiring as chief minister,” he said.

“He’s always shown our mob respect. I applaud Mr Gunner for his courage to put his family first.”

The Minerals Council of Australia also spoke warmly of Mr Gunner, saying he was a strong advocate and supporter of the NT’s mining industry.

“He has long understood how important the sector is to the territory economy by creating jobs, supporting local businesses and via the payment of royalties,” executive director Cathryn Tilmouth said.

It was echoed by Alex Bruce at Hospitality NT, who thanked Mr Gunner “for steering the territory through the global pandemic” which “helped us fair better than most Australian jurisdictions”.

But others said good riddance to the 46-year-old, who grew up on the rough side of Alice Springs, while calling for a new direction on crucial territory policies, like gas fracking.

“Gunner put big fracking companies ahead of Aboriginal people’s right to protect water and sacred sites and self-determine what happens on our country,” said Johnny Wilson, chair of Nurrdalinji Aboriginal group.

The Lock the Gate Alliance criticised Mr Gunner for failing to implement all the recommendations after a far-reaching scientific probe into the NT’s gas fracking industry.

“His replacement must chart a different course. Territorians need a brave chief minister who is willing to stand up to Canberra and make decisions that are in the NT’s best interest,” a spokesman said.

NT Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said although the timing was “shambolic” and “lacked statesmanship”, the news was a welcome relief for thousands of Territorians, who felt abandoned.

“Gunner’s resignation comes after mounting pressure from the opposition and Territorians, highlighting Labor’s catastrophic failures on crime, economy, cost of living pressures, health, government integrity and COVID,” she said.

“The reality is, Michael Gunner should have resigned years ago.”