Queensland government-owned energy company boss Michael O’Rourke has been quietly walked by the Stanwell board, five years since rising to the $1.1 million job in a company he worked in for decades.
The corporation uploaded a statement to its website announcing the decision on Monday, citing the board’s view that it was the “right time for a leadership transition” as part of renewal in the sector.
This leaves just one of Queensland’s five state-owned energy companies, CleanCo, yet to see a change of its chief executive in the two years since the self-proclaimed pro-coal Crisafulli LNP won government.
Stanwell board chair Justin Parer, a former Young LNP president shifted into the role from a port authority appointment last October, thanked O’Rourke for his leadership, with “full support and best wishes for the future”.
“Michael has played an important role in guiding Stanwell through a period of considerable change, strengthening the business and helping position it for the future,” Parer was quoted in the corporation’s statement.
While uploaded on Monday, the statement or news does not appear to have been distributed on Stanwell’s email media list or posted on its social media accounts.
Despite Treasurer David Janetzki being quoted also praising O’Rourke, neither he nor the government’s other shareholding minister (Finance Minister Ros Bates) had more widely shared the news.
James Oliver, Stanwell’s chief operating officer, has been appointed to temporarily act in the role – with O’Rourke’s assistance – while a process to formally recruit a replacement is undertaken.
Stanwell runs two of the state’s largest coal-fired power stations at Stanwell, near Rockhampton, and Tarong, along with some battery and wind farm interests.
“Michael is a highly regarded figure in the energy sector and has made a significant contribution.”
Treasurer David Janetzki, as quoted in the Stanwell statement
O’Rourke was appointed to the role in November 2021, after joining the company in 1998. The 2025-26 annual report shows he received a total remuneration package of $1.1 million.
His predecessor, Richard Van Breda, resigned just days after remarks pointing to the possible early retirement of the coal plants.
Amid the LNP’s unashamed pivot of energy focus from renewables back to fossil fuel power generation, governance of the sector has also been overhauled alongside the boards of other bodies.
A Queensland Audit Office report earlier this year noted that “almost all board chairs and 76 per cent of board roles” had turned over since the election, warning about a loss of corporate knowledge.
O’Rourke, Janetzki’s office, and Stanwell have been contacted for comment.
Get alerts on significant breaking news as it happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.