Hospitality NT boss Alex Bruce appointed to key government role

A high-profile industry boss is heading to the fifth floor to work with the new government. Read who.

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce is leaving the role after seven years for a senior job with the new NT Government.

Mr Bruce announced on social media on Wednesday he would take up the new job after a family holiday.

“After nearly seven years with Hospitality NT I have tendered my resignation to the board,” he wrote.

“After a family holiday looking at fossils in Queensland, I will return to Darwin to take up an exciting new opportunity working for the new Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro as her chief of staff as she and her team reduce crime, rebuild the economy and restore our great Territory lifestyle.”

Hospitality NT chief executive Alex Bruce is switching jobs. Picture: Che Chorley

He thanked Hospitality NT president Paul Palmer and the HNT board, and paid tribute to Teri Hart, who he is replacing in the role.

Mr Bruce has had a long history of public service in the Territory and New South Wales, previously working as chief of staff to former Deputy Chief Minister, Treasurer and Health Minister Robyn Lambley, before returning to New South Wales as chief of staff to former Deputy Premier Tony Grant.

When Mr Grant resigned after overwhelming community opposition to his proposed greyhound racing ban, Mr Bruce returned to Darwin with his young family because of his fondness for the city, and pulled beers at the Cavenagh Hotel.

Former treasurer and health minister Robyn Lambley. Picture: Supplied.

He replaced Des Crowe at the old Australian Hotels Association, which changed its name to Hospitality NT after the organisation’s vigorous opposition to the bulk liquor retailer Dan Murphy’s entry into the Darwin market.

Mr Bruce was with Hospitality NT during a tumultuous period including Covid-19, with his sector enduring the brunt of government restrictions while most of the NT operated unrestrained.

His frustration boiled over when then Chief Minister Michael Gunner announced an indefinite mask mandate for indoor premises on December 31, 2021, effectively killing New Year’s Eve celebrations.

When Mr Gunner’s successor Natasha Fyles announced a change to bottle-shop opening hours last year without industry consultation, Mr Bruce released correspondence showing she had previously committed to not change the sector’s operating environment before the next election.

Ms Fyles had resigned as Chief Minister within weeks.

During his time with Ms Lambley he oversaw the introduction of Alcohol Mandatory Treatment, a health-based measure targeting alcohol-dependent Territorians who had been placed in multiple protective custodies.

The NT Government plans to reintroduce the measure.

Former NT Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre response director Abigail Trewin will work with Gerard Maley. Picture: Supplied

The entry into the health space was a surprise, because he had come to the Territory to be Treasury adviser, but Ms Lambley was a victim of that government’s chaos and was later replaced as deputy Chief Minister and Treasurer by David Tollner.

In other fifth-floor recruitments, deputy Chief Minister Gerard Maley has appointed Abigail Trewin as his chief of staff.

Ms Trewin was previously director of education and academic partnerships with the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre in Darwin, the country’s peak disaster response agency.

Originally published as Hospitality NT boss Alex Bruce appointed to key government role