Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has appointed a former Chief Minister for the Northern Territory Government to lead its new north Australian division operating from Darwin.
Michael Gunner will begin as FFI’s Head of Northern Australia in November, after the expiration of his work restriction under the Northern Territory’s Ministerial Code of Conduct.
The former Member for Fannie Bay served as Chief Minister of the Northern Territory from 2016 until stepping down in May 2022 and resigning from politics in July 2022.
Fortescue Chair and Founder, Dr Andrew Forrest, said bringing in a person with Mr Gunner’s leadership qualities and his experience working hand-in-hand with the people of the Northern Territory would make him a valuable asset to FFI.
“Bringing in someone of Mr Gunner’s standing – particularly in the Northern Territory – and his personal qualities goes to the heart of our vision for FFI,” Dr Forrest said.
“We see enormous potential in the Northern Territory, with abundant wind and solar energy, and a community enthusiastic to embrace renewable energy and the employment intensive industries that come with it.
“The industry leading decarbonisation strategy we unveiled in New York in September provided clear evidence that Fortescue is leading the world in its transition to a global, green renewable and resources company.
“It is people like Michael Gunner who will help us ensure that our ambitions become a reality.”
Mr Gunner said he was passionate about ending the climate wars, creating local jobs and playing his part in FFI’s pursuit of a better world that is free of fossil fuels.
“Territorians are keen for the renewable energy sector to take off and the employment intensive industries that renewables need,” Mr Gunner said.
“We must bring the same urgency to the climate change race to real zero that we did with the global COVID pandemic.
“Leading the FFI Northern Australia team means delivering world changing, economy building projects, acting with the pace an emergency demands to create local jobs, build partnerships with First Nations people, and make the green energy that reduces our reliance on fossil fuels.
“My message is clear: FFI is committed to aggressively reducing emissions, and FFI is here now. I’ll be leading our local race to real zero from Darwin.”
