Andy Cowan has resigned from his role as the NT government’s Investment Commissioner
A prominent employee of the Chief Minister’s department charged with growing the economy to $40bn has quit. Find out who.
Northern Territory
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Territory Government Investment Commissioner Andy Cowan has resigned from his $300,000 a year job.
Mr Cowan, who last week represented the NT government on an expert panel to discuss growing the Territory’s economy to $40bn by 2030, was appointed Investment Commissioner in July 2021.
He told the NT News on Tuesday he intended to stay in the Northern Territory and was in discussions to secure a private sector role.
Mr Cowan said he would be able to discuss future opportunities in coming months.
As one of the bureaucrats charged with growing the economy to $40bn by 2030, he said the role was less about individual commissioners than a whole-of-government objective.
“It’s not the individual – it’s the importance of the position around promoting the Territory and attracting investment and I think we’ve got a really healthy pipeline,” he said.
“I think there’s a requirement around three roles to drive investment into the Territory and I think I’ve made a positive contribution with the many hours I’ve put into role.”
Mr Cowan officially resigned about two weeks ago but wanted to complete a ministerial trade delegation to Vietnam with Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison and appear at Friday’s NT News Future Northern Territory event before announcing he was stepping aside.
He said he had worked for the government for 12 years, eight of those with the Chief Minister’s Department, and that it was time for a change.
“I’m almost 51 and it is time for a change of direction after 12 years with the Northern Territory Government,” he said.
Future NT: Major projects driving $40bn economy ambition
Mr Cowan denied a report he had taken a role with Fortescue Future Industries’, the enterprise now managed in the Territory by former chief minister Michael Gunner.
He officially leaves the job on December 7.
The Investment Commissioner’s job was advertised last year with a salary at between $290,986 and $315,950.
Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro raised questions about whether Mr Cowan’s role would be retained.
“We were very surprised to wake up this morning and see that the commissioner has resigned with one week to go,” Ms Finocchiaro said.
“Ultimately the government needs to address his sudden disappearance and of course who’s going to fill that position, if they’re ever going to fill it at all.”
Chief Minister Natasha Fyles thanked Mr Cowan for his hard work.
“I thank Andy for his hard work during his tenure with the NT government,” Ms Fyles said.
“The Territory will continue to grow and be home to new and exciting job creating projects.”
Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet chief executive Frank Daly also commended Mr Cowan’s work.
“Andy has been in the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet and its former iterations for eight years and has been the deputy CEO since October 2016,” Mr Daly said.
“In April 2021 he was appointed as the Territory’s first Investment Commissioner.”
Mr Daly credited Mr Cowan with securing a number of economy boosting outcomes, including securing commonwealth and Territory support for the Future of Kakadu and work to grow the Territory’s digital infrastructure.
Other accomplishments include securing funding and support for Equatorial Launch Australia, leadership of Regional Network and Aboriginal Affairs, managing regional and remote Covid-19 restrictions and other emergency management responses.
“He secured a stronger relationship with Defence through engagement and leadership of the Territory’s National Security Advisory group and securing the manufacturing of aircraft in the Territory,” Mr Daly said.
The government did not detail its plans to replace Mr Cowan, saying members of the public service “will act in the position for the interim”.
Originally published as Andy Cowan has resigned from his role as the NT government’s Investment Commissioner
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