Suspended Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson has 14 days to respond to serious allegations levelled by the state’s corruption watchdog.
Cr Thompson was suspended in November on full pay while the Crime and Corruption Commission conducted an ongoing investigation into whether the councillor had embellished his military credentials in the lead up to the 2024 Queensland local election.
During the March campaign, Cr Thompson said he had served with the SAS when in fact he had been an army reservist. Thompson also allegedly inflated business and academic qualifications.
Speaking in parliament on Thursday morning, Local Government Minister Ann Leahy said following a briefing by the CCC at the end of August – which “set out serious allegations” – she had decided to issue Cr Thompson with a formal show-cause notice. “This will provide him with 14 days to respond and sets out in detail the basis of my concerns,” Ms Leahy told parliament.
The notice includes a detailed explanation of the factual basis for Ms Leahy forming a “reasonable belief” that Cr Thompson should be dismissed from office. “Upon receipt of Cr Thompson’s response, I will carefully consider the matters raised before making any final decision,” Ms Leahy said.
“The actions I have taken reflect this government’s firm commitment to transparency, natural justice, and the highest standards of integrity in local government,” she added.
“The people of Townsville,” said Ms Leahy, “deserve a council that is stable, accountable, and able to deliver for its community.”
Responding in a statement posted on social media, Cr Thompson called complaints made against him “allegations, not findings”. He then accused Ms Leahy of being “politically conflicted in this matter”, saying recent comments “suggest more about point scoring and political distraction than genuine concern for due process or the Townsville community.”
Cr Thompson said he would respond further through his legal team once the CCC allegations had been formally served.
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