Dr Anthony Lynham has been appointed the new chairman of Gladstone Ports Corporation

He will replace Peter Corones who, after many years serving on the GPC board, advised he would not seek reappointment.

Former Queensland Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Dr Anthony Lynham speaks during a visit to Century Yuasa Batteries in Brisbane in 2020. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dan Peled.

Former Queensland Government Minister Dr Anthony Lynham has been appointed a director and chairman of the Gladstone Ports Corporation.

Dr Lynham’s new role as chairman starts on October 1 and he will replace Peter Corones who, after many years serving on the GPC board, advised he would not seek reappointment when his term expired at the end of September.

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick and Transport Minister Mark Bailey announced Dr Lynham’s appointment on Friday.

Mr Bailey said Dr Lynham’s recent role overseeing Queensland’s resources industry would bring unmatched experience to GPC’s boardroom.

“Dr Lynham was not only a well-respected colleague and Minister, he was also tenacious in improving working conditions and driving investment in our state’s resources industry,” Mr Bailey said.

“There is a natural connection between Queensland’s resources sector and Queensland’s major ports.

“Around one in four jobs in regional Queensland rely on trade.

“Our investment in publicly-owned ports has ensured they can continue to deliver growth in exports, like we’ve seen this year with record LNG exports through Gladstone’s port, and I have no doubt Dr Lynham will continue to drive GPC towards even greater success.”

Gladstone Ports Corporation chairman Peter Corones (right) can't hide his enthusiasm for the East Shores precinct where a new stage opened. File photo.

Mr Dick said Dr Lynham’s experience included extensive ministerial and policy oversight of Queensland’s major publicly owned utilities and their key infrastructure projects.

“As Queensland continues to recover from the impacts of COVID-19, having the best management of these businesses in place will help keep Queensland as the best place to live, work and invest in the nation,” he said.

“I look forward to working with Dr Lynham and the rest of the Gladstone Ports board to continue their great support of the local community and local industries.”

Board appointments are made in accordance with the guidelines set out in the publicly available Guide for Board Appointments to Government Owned Corporations, Queensland Rail and Seqwater.

This guide outlines processes used by government in identifying and appointing members to GOCs and commercial statutory authorities and clarifies due diligence requirements.

All appointments made since the guidelines release in March 2019, including Dr Lynham’s appointment, have been in accordance with these guidelines.