Media ‘frogmarched’ out of former Chief Minister Michael Gunner’s Resources Week speech

A transcript of the speech reveals Michael Gunner labelled his new employer ‘a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions’. Read what you weren’t supposed to hear.

An otherwise “vanilla” speech by former Chief Minister Michael Gunner for NT Resources Week turned ugly on Wednesday after journalists were “frogmarched” out of the venue.

A transcript of the oration at the Darwin Convention Centre obtained by the NT News reveals Mr Gunner detailed his current employer Fortescue’s plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030 through green hydrogen production.

“Fortescue is the third biggest exporter of Australian iron ore,” he said.

“It is a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions all the way from the Pilbara all the way to the ships that transport it to the furnaces of China.

“How then did it make sense that (Fortescue Metals Group) will be such a part of the world emission problem while Fortescue Energy will be simultaneously spearheading the global race for net zero?”

The speech only began after security personnel had ushered media from the room after reporters were told Mr Gunner’s comments were “off limits”.

Among them was the ABC Country Hour’s Matt Brann who tweeted he had been “asked to leave the hall”.

“I can’t remember this ever happening at the Darwin Convention Centre … ever,” he wrote.

“It’s bizarre.”

Michael Gunner delivers the censored speech during NT Resources Week on Wednesday.

Brann quoted from an email to media which read: “All other sessions are ok to attend, if you could just refrain from entering the SEAAOC hall from 9:50-10:10.”

Country Liberal Party Deputy Opposition Leader Gerard Maley branded the media blackout an “absolute disgrace” and questioned what the government had to hide.

There is no suggestion Mr Gunner requested the ban.

Mr Maley said it was embarrassing for Mr Gunner’s successor Natasha Fyles for the media to be “frogmarched” out of the room for the ex-chief minister’s address.

“Territorians deserve to know what’s going on in the mining sector,” he said.

“It’s a major industry right across the Northern Territory, Michael Gunner doing this today just goes to show that the Labor government takes Territorians for fools.”

The twist added an Orwellian element to an event eagerly anticipated by the NT government as an opportunity to showcase the Middle Arm sustainable development precinct and the Territory’s potential as a critical minerals hub to a national audience.

With about a dozen noisy anti-development protesters outside the venue and a Senate inquiry into the Middle Arm development about to commence, the government was keen to put the resource sector’s best foot forward.

The sight of a television camera being packed up and an ABC reporter being asked to leave the venue during a speech by the Fortescue Future Industries Australia West director was likely not the publicity shot the government – or company – had hoped for.

An artist’s impression of the Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct.

A spokeswoman for Fortescue said the order to shut down recording equipment was a “communication breakdown” but was unable to explain why cameras had been removed.

She said it was not Fortescue policy to shut down recording equipment at such events and that there was no intention to block the media by the company or Mr Gunner.

Chatter among sections of Darwin’s business community suggests Fortescue is likely to be the first among the five chosen proponents to develop at the Middle Arm sustainable development precinct.

Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison said she had no idea how the media blackout occurred.