One chief left standing as veteran Qld energy boss quietly booted by board

Michael O’Rourke, the long-serving chief executive of Stanwell Corporation, a Queensland government-owned energy firm, has been removed from his position by the company’s board. The announcement came on Monday, 19 October 2026, with the board stating it was the “right time for a leadership transition” as part of broader industry renewal efforts. O’Rourke had held the role since November 2021, following a career spanning nearly three decades with the company. His annual remuneration package was listed at $1.1 million in the 2025–26 financial report. The board’s decision comes amid a shift in governance within Queensland’s energy sector, particularly under the current Liberal National Party (LNP) government led by Premier Campbell Crisafulli, who has positioned himself as a proponent of coal-based energy production. This move leaves only CleanCo, another state-owned energy company, still with its original chief executive two years after the LNP took control. Justin Parer, the new chair of Stanwell’s board and a former leader of the Young LNP, expressed gratitude for O’Rourke’s service. In a statement released by the company, Parer acknowledged O’Rourke’s contributions to navigating a period of transformation and strengthening the business. However, the official statement was uploaded to the company’s website without being disseminated via email or social media channels typically used for such announcements. Treasurer David Janetzki praised O’Rourke in the statement, calling him a “highly regarded figure in the energy sector.” Despite this, neither Janetzki nor Finance Minister Ros Bates publicly highlighted the change, suggesting limited external communication around the transition. In the interim, James Oliver, Stanwell’s chief operating officer, will assume the CEO role temporarily, supported by O’Rourke during the recruitment process for a permanent successor. Stanwell operates two major coal-fired power stations, Stanwell near Rockhampton and Tarong, as well as investments in battery storage and wind farms. O’Rourke’s departure follows the resignation of his predecessor, Richard Van Breda, who stepped down shortly after comments indicating potential early closures of coal plants. A recent Queensland Audit Office report raised concerns about the high turnover rate among board members, noting that almost all board chairs and 76 percent of board positions had changed since the LNP’s victory in the 2024 election, potentially leading to a loss of institutional expertise. O’Rourke, Janetzki’s office, and Stanwell were contacted for further comment.