David Crisafulli addresses Troy Thompson’s continued online attacks on Townsville council

Opposition leader Steven Miles has blasted the state government for gifting suspended mayor Troy Thompson “a paid holiday” while continuing to cause headaches for councillors, as the integrity watchdog gives an update into his conduct.

Opposition Leader Steven Miles has blasted Premier David Crisafulli and Local Government Minister Ann Leahy for ‘allowing’ Troy Thompson to throw barbs at councillors ‘without repercussion’. Crisafulli and Leahy say Thompson is now a citizen, and should just be ignored. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Queensland’s premier has one message for Townsville City Council amid continued online attacks from suspended mayor Troy Thompson: Ignore him.

His comments come as Opposition leader Steven Miles blasted the state government for gifting Mr Thompson “a paid holiday” while continuing to cause headaches for councillors just wanting to get on with the job.

Last week the Bulletin reported Mr Thompson said he was partly to blame for the council’s stricter complaints policies, publishing the direct email address of chief legal officer David Sewell and urging his followers to contact him.

“Troy Thompson should not be using his 12-month taxpayer funded holiday to play switchboard with the private contact details of public servants,” Mr Miles said.

“Local Government Minister Ann Leahy and Premier David Crisafulli have already gifted the mayor a paid holiday, and now they’re allowing him to throw barbs from the sideline without repercussion.

“Ratepayers should always have the right to speak their mind, but not in an abusive manner or at the expense of workers time and ratepayer money.”

Premier David Crisafulli during a press conference in Ingham. Picture: Supplied by the Office of the Premier

In Ingham on Wednesday, Premier David Crisafulli was asked if it was fair ratepayers were footing the bill for Mr Thompson’s 12-month suspension while he continues to attack councillors and staff.

“Just remember, Mr Thompson was previously being paid to create mayhem within the council,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“He’s no longer part of the council, he’s been removed from it and my advice to the leaders of that magnificent city is to get on with the job.

“Deliver. Govern. Ignore the sidelines. It’s a great city and it’s crying out for the council to deliver for them and we stand ready to work with them.”

Standing next to Hinchinbrook mayor Ramon Jayo, Mr Crisafulli said citizens — including Mr Thompson who is being paid his mayoral salary of $225,000 for the next 12 months — disagreeing with the direction of a council was “how a democracy works”.

“Ramon have you got a couple? No doubt,” he said, addressing Hinchinbrook mayor Ramon Jayo. “That’s part of the democratic process, but that council has the opportunity to be able to show the region that it’s going to deliver for them.

“We know how important Townsville is to us as a government, and we know how important regional Queensland is to us as a government and we took the decision to enable that council, while an investigation occurs, to give them the clear air – so go, govern.”

Suspended mayor Troy Thompson. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Local Government Minister Ann Leahy was asked a number of questions about the issue, including if a suspended mayor is still bound by the local government act with regards to not bringing councils into disrepute.

“Mr Thompson has been suspended and is a private citizen with no authority over the running of Townsville City Council,” Ms Leahy replied.

An email sighted by the Bulletin from the Office of the Independent Assessor confirmed that all councillors, including suspended councillors, are subject to the code of conduct when acting in an official capacity.

The OIA further stated there must be evidence that Mr Thompson was performing a function as a councillor for the code of conduct to apply. It is unclear if utilising his Facebook page as a conduit between ratepayers and council counts as official duties.

“There are also some misconduct provisions in the Act, such as releasing confidential information or misusing council information, that don’t require the councillor to be performing an official function to be prosecuted,” an OIA representative stated.

Originally published as David Crisafulli addresses Troy Thompson’s continued online attacks on Townsville council