With additional reporting by Dale Crisp
TASPORTS has announced chief executive Anthony Donald will depart his role in March 2026. Chair Greg McCann said the board had accepted Mr Donald’s resignation and thanked him for his significant contribution.
“Anthony has served TasPorts for almost ten years, including leading the organisation since 2018, first as acting chief executive officer and then, from 2019, as CEO,” he said.
“During that time, Anthony has led TasPorts through a period of significant change and investment, strengthening our focus on safety, sustainability, and the delivery of critical port infrastructure across the state.”
Mr Donald had previously worked for TasPorts as chief operating officer, coming to the business after previous roles with the Port of Melbourne Corporation and Melbourne Airport.
Mr Donald spent five years at PoMC, latterly as deputy executive general manager of the Port Capacity Project under then CEO Stephen Bradford. Mr Bradford was subsequently appointed chairman of TasPorts, in December 2015 and played a major role in Mr Donald’s recruitment. Mr Bradford retired as chairman in October last year.
Mr McCann said Mr Donald will continue until the end of the March quarter next year to ensure continuity as TasPorts progresses major projects and operational priorities across its port network.
“Anthony’s continued leadership during this transition period will provide stability for our workforce, customers and stakeholders and ensure TasPorts remains focused on delivering for Tasmania,” he said.
Mr Donald said it had been a privilege to lead the organisation.
“Serving as CEO of TasPorts has been a deeply rewarding experience, and I am proud of what our people have achieved together,” he said.
“TasPorts plays a vital role in Tasmania’s economy, and I remain fully committed to supporting the Board and the organisation through this important transition.”
Tasmanian treasurer Eric Abetz thanked Mr Donald for his service to TasPorts and Tasmania.
“Anthony Donald has made an important contribution to Tasmania’s ports over almost a decade with TasPorts, including leading the organisation since 2018," he said.
“During a period of significant change and investment, TasPorts has continued to perform its essential role in supporting Tasmania’s freight task, economic connectivity, and access to national and international markets.”
The TasPorts board will immediately progress plans for the next phase of leadership, which includes interim arrangements and the process to appoint a new chief executive.
TasPorts has come under sustained criticism for its role in the TT Line/Spirit of Tasmania terminal delays with a recent Public Account Committee report making an overarching finding that the failure to deliver suitable berthing infrastructure for the new vessels “represents a fundamental breakdown of governance in, and collaboration between, two government-owned entities TT-Line and TasPorts”.
His resignation came almost a month after news that TasPorts was forced to seek an extra $5 million in government funding for a major woodchip shiploader project at Bell Bay.
The project has reportedly been delayed by two years.