Michael Gunner resigns from politics after health scare

Former Northern Territory chief minister Michael Gunner gave his final speech in parliament on Wednesday night after resigning from politics.

Michael Gunner. Picture: Amanda Parkinson

Former Northern Territory chief minister Michael Gunner gave his final speech in parliament on Wednesday night after resigning from politics.

After stepping down from the leadership in May in the wake of a heart attack, the former member for Fannie Bay said the role had taken its toll on his health.

“This job, being a member, is one that is and should be all-consuming. I don’t know any other way to do it,” he said.

“It is the only way to honour the faith people put in you.

“Fair to say my method was not the healthiest approach to a work-life balance. Making the decision to stand down as local member is harder than stepping back as chief.

“I will miss this place, my fellow members and my friends.”

As the first chief minister to be born in the Northern Territory, Mr Gunner said his passion for the Territory remained.

“I say goodbye to Territory politics, but I am Territory for life.”

Mr Gunner grew up in the Northern Territory and came up through Labor’s ranks. He worked as a staffer for Clare Martin, Labor’s first chief minister and the NT’s first female leader, then won her seat when she quit politics in 2008.

He led Labor to victory in 2016 when the scandal-prone Giles Country Liberal administration spectacularly imploded, and then won another election in 2020.

He stepped down from the top job abruptly in May following the birth of his second child.

“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.”

Labor sources predicted a swift by-election, saying Mr Gunner picked Wednesday to make his announcement to permit a vote on August 20.

Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison’s chief-of-staff Chris Langworthy, Chief Minister Natasha Fyles’ senior adviser Brent Potter and Darwin councillor Ed Smelt were all being discussed as plausible candidates.

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