Northern Land Council chief executive Joe Morrison resigns for ‘personal reasons’

NORTHERN Land Council CEO Joe Morrison has resigned, citing personal reasons

Northern Land Council chief executive Joe Morrison has quit his role after nearly five years

NORTHERN Land Council chief executive Joe Morrison has resigned, citing personal reasons.

Mr Morrison has been NLC CEO for more than four years since February 2014.

In a statement, Mr Morrison said he was choosing to resign for “personal reasons and that it was time to explore other opportunities”.

“He has enjoyed his time at the NLC and says he has achieved many of the commitments he gave to the late Mr Wunungmurra who was Chairman when he was recruited,” the statement said.

“The NLC is a fundamentally important institution for Aboriginal people of the Top End and he leaves the NLC in a better position to deal with the challenges faced by Traditional Owners than when he joined in 2014.”

The NT News understands Mr Morrison could be angling for a tilt at federal politics.

Mr Morrison was born and raised in Katherine and has Dahoman and Torres Strait Islander heritage.

The Northern Land Council assists Aboriginal people in the Top End acquire and manage their traditional lands and seas

Under Mr Morrisons leadership the Northern Land Council saw several landmark native title wins across the Northern Territory including in Booraloola and Kenbi.

They have also helped advance indigenous economic interests in the North Australia. Mr Morrison has long criticised the White Paper on Developing Northern Australia for neglecting Aboriginal voices.