The NT’s Investment Commissioner has resigned suddenly, the NT Independent can confirm, with Andy Cowan offering his resignation on Monday.

Mr Cowan was the man tasked by former chief minister Michael Gunner to attract elusive private investment to the Northern Territory to grow the economy to $40 billion by 2030.

Mr Cowan’s resignation was confirmed in an email to Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet staff from chief executive Frank Daly earlier today, seen by the NT Independent, who said the position would “remain vacant”.

No reason for the sudden departure was provided.

“I am writing to let you know that Andy Cowan has made the difficult decision to leave the NT public sector,” Mr Daly wrote to staff.

“Andy has made an enormous contribution to public service over the past 12 years.

“Andy’s last day with the Department will be on 7th of December. Those of you attending the End of the Year Party this Friday will have an opportunity to wish Andy well for his next challenge.”

Mr Cowan, a former school teacher, started in the Department of Education in 2010, later becoming the deputy chief executive of the Department of Chief Minister under former head public servant Jodie Ryan.

In April 2021, Mr Gunner appointed him as Territory Investment Commissioner.

The NT Independent understands speculation in the department is that Mr Cowan will go to work for Mr Gunner in his new role as a lobbyist for Twiggy Forest’s Fortescue Future Industries. Mr Gunner has recently taken former government advisers including Chris Langworthy and “best mate” Cameron Angus with him to work for FFI.

Mr Daly said Mr Cowan has had “many achievements” for the Territory, including “significant work in digital infrastructure”, securing funding for rocket launches with Equatorial Launch Australia, “leadership” of Aboriginal Affairs, managing regional and remote COVID-19 restrictions, and engaging with Defence through the Territory’s National Security Advisory group.

Mr Cowan also played a role in securing Federal support for the Kakadu funding deal, but attracted controversy when the NT Independent revealed he had charged taxpayers for a trip to Disney World in late 2019 that was reportedly later reimbursed by a private company that lobbied Mr Cowan for funding.

Mr Daly also pointed to Mr Cowan’s involvement in “securing the manufacturing of aircraft in the Territory”, referencing the $10 million in public funds given to Amphibian Aerospace Industries to manufacture an old amphibious aircraft that was last made in 1961.

Mr Cowan’s resignation comes shortly after the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet blocked a Freedom of Information application seeking all travel costs and itineraries for 10 months worth of international travel to August of this year.

It is understood Mr Cowan and former fifth floor staffer-turned-MLA Brent Potter travelled to Asia multiple times at taxpayer expense to raise financing for AAI, a company Mr Potter’s former boss now operates.

But the government has refused to disclose the details of the taxpayer-funded travel for the two men.

Mr Cowan’s future plans could not be confirmed on Monday, but Mr Daly said in the email to staff that “Andy will be staying in the Territory, because we all know there are too many exciting opportunities on the horizon”.

Mr Daly also said the Investment Commissioner position, which reports to him, will remain vacant while “Andrew Jones, Bridget Bellenger and Tim McManus will deputise for me as required”, with Major Projects Commissioner Jason Schoolmeester providing “leadership for Investment Territory and DefenceNT”.