Gunner quits as NT Chief Minister

THE Northern Territory’s Chief Minister has made a shock announcement that he will resign from the position.

Michael Gunner took to social media on Tuesday morning, telling constituents his head and heart “are no longer in the job” that he held for almost six years.

He teared up as he addressed the media about his decision, saying it took a heart attack and the birth of his two children to realise he felt the time was right for him and his family.

“I don’t need another neardeath experience to know that life is unpredictable and can be cut short,” he said. “Forty-six is young for a pollie, but it is pretty old for a father of a newborn and a toddler and that’s who I want to spend more of my time with now for as long as I can.”

Mr Gunner (pictured) thanked his mother and his wife, ABC journalist Kristy O’Brien, for their support.

He said his wife was tough, fierce and he learnt from her every day.

“She’s been walking in my shadow long enough. I cannot wait to walk in hers,” he said.

The exiting chief minster said he didn’t have another job lined up but would remain the member for Fannie Bay.

He also said he wasn’t leaving because of a potential ICAC investigation and joked about only having bad shirts in his closet, not skeletons.

The Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison will remain as the Acting Chief Minister while a new parliamentary Labor leader is decided.

In his earlier statement, Mr Gunner said he grappled with the decision to resign for a number of weeks but knew it was the right thing to do after his second child was born.

“The birth of our second child a few weeks ago confirmed something for me – my head and my heart are no longer in the job. They are at home,” he said. “It has been a privilege to serve as your Chief Minister. One of the honours of my life.”