Michael Gunner steps down as Fannie Bay MLA

The former leader of the NT is leaving Territory politics.

FORMER chief minister ­Michael Gunner is stepping down from Territory politics after 14 years in parliament.

In sittings on Wednesday, Mr Gunner announced his resignation as the MP for Fannie Bay.

It comes two months after he quit as chief minister, saying it was time he stepped back and focused on family. He has since sat on the backbench.

“In May I stepped down as Chief Minister. Tonight, I resign as the Member for Fannie Bay and the reasons are the same. It’s what is best for the people I serve and what is best for my family,” he said.

“Making the decision to stand down as local member is harder than stepping away as chief. I will miss this place, my fellow members, and my friends. Tash and the team are doing an amazing job. The Territory is in safe hands.

“I will work again. I am not in a position to retire for life. I have no plans yet and cannot see myself working again until late this year at the earliest, but my priorities are clear. My family comes first, supporting and raising my boys.

“I am not moving anywhere this is my home, where I was born, where my boys were born. This is where they will be raised, there is no better place to grow up. I say goodbye to Territory politics but I am Territory for life.”

His successor, Natasha Fyles, thanked Mr Gunner for his contribution to Territory politics as the NT’s first locally born chief minister.

“We thank Michael for his commitment to the Territory, for always putting Territorians first and his ongoing advocacy for the people of Fannie Bay,” the Chief Minister said.

“Under Michael’s leadership our government has ­delivered record investments in health, education, housing and community safety.

“During his time as the member for Fannie Bay, ­Michael delivered many positive developments across his electorate.

“We thank Michael for his dedication to Territorians and we wish Michael, Kristy, Hudson and Nash all the best for the future.”

Mr Gunner was elected as the Fannie Bay MLA in 2008, taking over from former Labor chief minister Clare Martin.

He became leader of the Opposition in 2015 and led Labor to a landslide victory against the Country Liberals in 2016.

In his first term as chief minister, Mr Gunner faced criticism for his government’s handling of crime and the economy, with many speculating Labor would have lost the 2020 Territory election if the Covid-19 pandemic had not ­occurred.

He resigned as chief minister to focus on family after the birth of his second child.

His resignation triggers a by-election in Fannie Bay, which has been held by Labor since 1995.

Opposition Leader Lia Fino­cchiaro welcomed the ­opportunity for a new Fannie Bay MLA.

“The member for Fannie Bay has done the right thing,” Ms Finocchiaro said. “The people of Fannie Bay ­deserve a local member who will represent them and work hard to have their voices heard and only the CLP can deliver that.”

Rumours of resignation

SPECULATION is rife former chief minister Michael Gunner will step down from the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.

The NT News understands the Fannie Bay MLA will announce his resignation on Wednesday night during parliament sittings.

If Mr Gunner does, it will spark a by-election in his seat of Fannie Bay, which he’s held since 2008.

Mr Gunner resigned from the role of chief minister in May, saying it was time he stepped back and focus on family. He’s since sat on the backbench.

Michael Gunner in May when he announced his resignation as chief minister. Picture:(A)manda Parkinson

“It’s no secret that the last few years have been intense,” he said at the time.

“It’s taken a lot out of me, like it has for plenty of us — add to that a heart attack and a couple of kids.

“I don’t need a second near-death experience to know that life is unpredictable and can be cut short. One of those was more than enough.”

The last by-election held in the Territory was for the seat of Daly, won by Labor’s Dheran Young.

The Fannie Bay electorate is known as a Labor stronghold, previously held by former chief minister Clare Martin and former federal sex discrimination commissioner Pam O’Neill.

The 2020 Territory election marked Mr Gunner’s fourth term representing the electorate.

He won against CLP candidate and notable businesswoman Tracey Hayes.