Chancellor

The Honourable Paul Henderson AO

The Hon Paul Henderson AO is the fourth Chancellor of CDU.

The Chancellor leads the CDU Council, the University’s principal governing body. It is an honorary position that also has a key role in supporting the Vice-Chancellor, and is significant in many university ceremonies. 

Early years: Paul Henderson was born in Croix-Chapeau, France, where his father was serving with the United States military. He was educated in the United Kingdom and studied marine engineering through the City and Guilds of London Institute. He worked as an apprentice marine fitter in Southampton before emigrating to Australia in 1982, where he worked as an underground fitter at the zinc mines in Rosebery, Tasmania.

He moved to Darwin in the Northern Territory in 1983, working as a marine fitter. In 1985 he began working for the Northern Territory Government as a computer operator, later becoming IT Operations Manager for the Health Department.

Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly: Mr. Henderson was elected to the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in August 1999, representing the Darwin-based electorate of Wanguri. From 2001 – 2007, he was a senior Government Minister responsible for many portfolios including Education and Training, Business, Asian Relations and Trade, and Regional Development.

Northern Territory Chief Minister: Mr. Henderson was elected unopposed as Parliamentary Leader of the Labor Party and Chief Minister of the Northern Territory in 2007 and held those posts until August 2012. As Chief Minister, he dealt with a range of issues and challenges and helped guide the Northern Territory on the path to sustainable economic growth.

His Government delivered the $34 billion lchthys LNG project for Darwin, the second largest investment in Australia’s history and the largest investment by any Japanese company outside of Japan. Recognising that economic prosperity must be translated into social benefits, Mr Henderson is committed to the development of Northern Australia. He is equally focused on forging closer economic, social and cultural ties to our Asian neighbours and retains close relations with many leaders across South-East Asia.

As Chief Minister, he was instrumental in establishing both the NT Medical Program and the North Australian Centre for Oil & Gas at CDU.

Post political career: Since retiring from politics in January 2013, Mr. Henderson has co-founded and been Managing Partner of a Darwin-based consultancy focusing on business development and project facilitation.

Family

Married to Stacey for 30 years with 3 children Alasdair, Liam and Isabel.

Honours:

• On 26 June 2013, granted the title "The Honourable" for life by the Governor-General.
• Made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Australia Day Honours list for his contribution to the Northern Territory.
• Appointed Chancellor of Charles Darwin University in February 2019 and inducted to the position in March 2019.