Michael Gunner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Michael Gunner
Gunner in 2017
11th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory
In office 31 August 2016 – 13 May 2022
Deputy	Nicole Manison
Administrator	John Hardy Vicki O'Halloran
Preceded by	Adam Giles
Succeeded by	Natasha Fyles
Treasurer of the Northern Territory
In office 8 September 2020 – 13 May 2022
Preceded by	Nicole Manison
Succeeded by	Natasha Fyles
11th Leader of the Opposition in the Northern Territory
In office 20 April 2015 – 31 August 2016
Deputy	Lynne Walker
Preceded by	Delia Lawrie
Succeeded by	Gary Higgins
Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Fannie Bay
In office 9 August 2008 – 27 July 2022
Preceded by	Clare Martin
Succeeded by	Brent Potter
Personal details
Born	Michael Patrick Francis Gunner (1976-01-06) 6 January 1976 (age 49) Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
Political party	Australian Labor Party
Spouse	Kristy O'Brien
Alma mater	Charles Darwin University
Occupation	Political adviser
Cabinet	Gunner Ministry

Michael Patrick Francis Gunner (born 6 January 1976) is an Australian former politician. He was the 11th Chief Minister of the Northern Territory from 2016 to 2022. He was a member of the Labor Party.

Gunner represented the area of Fannie Bay in Darwin. He was elected in 2008 and served until he resigned in July 2022. In April 2015, he became the leader of the Labor Party in the Northern Territory. This made him the Leader of the Opposition.

He led the Labor Party to a big win in the 2016 election. He became Chief Minister on 31 August 2016. He was the first Chief Minister born in the Northern Territory. Gunner led Labor to win again in the 2020 election. He announced he would resign as Chief Minister on 10 May 2022. He then resigned from his seat in July 2022.

Early Life and Education

Michael Gunner was born in Alice Springs in 1976. He was the oldest of four children. His family has a long history in the Northern Territory. His great-grandfather came to Tennant Creek in the 1930s from Georgia. Gunner also has Indigenous relatives.

He went to school in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek and Darwin. He studied at Northern Territory University. He worked at a shop called Big W and as an assistant for politicians. He also played rugby union for the Territory. Before becoming a politician himself, Gunner worked as an advisor for former Chief Minister Clare Martin from 2001 to 2008.

Political Journey

Member for Fannie Bay

In 2008, Gunner was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly. He won the seat of Electoral division of Fannie Bay. This happened after Chief Minister Clare Martin retired. Gunner won the seat for the Labor Party by a small number of votes.

Becoming Opposition Leader

In April 2015, Gunner decided to run for the leadership of the Northern Territory Labor Party. The current leader, Delia Lawrie, resigned a few days later. Gunner was then chosen as the new leader without anyone running against him. This made him the Leader of the Opposition.

As Opposition Leader, he was in charge of several important areas. These included Major Projects, Police, and Business. He also looked after the government's money as Shadow Treasurer.

Chief Minister of the Northern Territory

2016 Election Victory

The Labor Party, led by Michael Gunner, was expected to win the 2016 election. On 27 August, Labor won a huge victory. They won 18 out of 25 seats in the Legislative Assembly. This was one of the biggest election wins ever in the Territory.

Labor won almost all the seats in Darwin and Palmerston. The previous Chief Minister even lost his own seat. This was a very big defeat for the old government. Gunner said that people had "rejected the chaos" of the past four years.

After the win, Gunner was sworn in as Chief Minister on 31 August 2016. He formed a small, temporary government with two other members. His full team of ministers was chosen later in September. Many of the new ministers were women.

First Term as Chief Minister

Gunner shaking hands with United States Navy Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr. in 2017.

Gunner's government had a very strong position. They had a large majority of seats. Even though the opposition party had very few members, Gunner promised they would still have the resources they needed.

One important change Gunner made was about speed limits. His government removed the "open speed limit" on some roads. They put a 130 km/h speed limit on a long part of the Stuart Highway.

Gunner also put a temporary ban on fracking (a way to get gas from the ground). This ban started in September 2016. The ban was later lifted in April 2018. Gunner also supported Chinese investment in the Northern Territory.

2020 Election and Second Term

Gunner led the Labor Party into the 2020 election. His campaign focused on how his government handled the COVID-19 pandemic.

On election night, it became clear that Labor would win again. Gunner declared victory. Labor won 14 out of 25 seats in the Legislative Assembly. This gave them a small majority. Labor won most seats in the Darwin and Palmerston areas. The main opposition party, the Country Liberals, won more seats than before.

In September 2020, Gunner announced his new team of ministers. He took on the role of Treasurer himself. Most of the new ministers were women.

COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Michael Gunner
@fanniebay

Replying to @tedcruz

G'day from Down Under @tedcruz. Thanks for your interest in the Territory. I'm the Chief Minister. Below are a few facts about COVID down here.

18 October 2021

Gunner was in charge of the Northern Territory's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In October 2021, a US Senator, Ted Cruz, posted a message on social media. He was critical of the Northern Territory's rules about vaccines. Gunner's reply to this message became very popular online.

Resignation

On 10 May 2022, Gunner announced he was stepping down. He resigned as Chief Minister and Treasurer. He said he wanted to spend more time with his family. On 27 July 2022, he also resigned from his seat in the Legislative Assembly for Fannie Bay.

After Politics

In November 2022, Gunner started working for a company called Fortescue Future Industries (FFI). He was promoted to lead FFI's Australia West division in April 2023. In February 2024, Gunner announced he had left his job at Fortescue.

Personal Life

On 3 December 2017, Michael Gunner married Kristy O'Brien, a journalist. They have two sons, born in 2020 and 2022.