Local government minister Meaghan Scanlon to appoint special adviser amid Troy Thompson, CEO conflict

The Local Government Minister will appoint a special adviser to examine the conflict within Townsville City Council, to help with ‘relationship management of elected representatives and key senior staff’.

Meaghan Scanlon Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works. Picture, John Gass

The Local Government Minister will appoint a special adviser to examine the conflict within the Townsville City Council, as she warned council to ‘act like adults’.

A letter sent from Director-General Mark Cridland to Townsville City Council’s interim CEO Joe McCabe, also sent to embattled Mayor Troy Thompson, states his approval for the adviser under section 117 of the Local Government Act.

“Given the ongoing matters being experienced by the council, I have decided to appoint an adviser to assist the council and councillors in relation to governance areas, particularly relating to relationship management of elected representatives and key senior staff, the provisions of good governance of council meetings and adherence to the relevant legislation,” the letter reads.

“The department will now commence the processes required for the appointment of an adviser. The appointment will be for an initial period of six months, with the possibility of extension.”

Although councillors have said they are working well together with the exception of Mr Thompson, he erupted this week on Facebook as he accused them of using interim CEO Joe McCabe to cause division and to undermine his authority.

Mr McCabe broke his silence Thursday morning, fiercely denying allegations of leaking confidential information and misleading the public.

Director General Mark Cridland. Picture, John Gass

It was recently revealed that Mr Thompson — currently the subject of a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation — had attempted to claim $100,000 in compensation from the council on the grounds that council staff had discriminated against his epilepsy.

Mr Thompson said in a press conference after the council meeting on Wednesday that he had called for Mr McCabe’s resignation.

Councillor Liam Mooney also told the Townsville Bulletin the mayor threatened councillors with a list of 20 demands, and that if they were not complied with, he would request the Minister dissolve the council in its entirety for a by-election.

Local Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon warned the Townsville City Council to ‘act like adults’ as she confirmed the State Government intends on appointing an adviser to monitor it.

Mayor Troy Thompson at a council general meeting Wednesday, September 4, 2024. Picture: Evan Morgan

Ms Scanlon said at a press conference in the Gold Coast that she was unaware of Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson’s alleged threat to councillors that he would urge her to dissolve the council if it did not meet his list of demands.

“I’ll have to go back and receive the correspondence, I receive a lot of correspondence from the Townsville City Council,” she said.

“What I would say more broadly is what I just said previously, we’re all adults, my expectation is all elected officials do their job and represent the people they do their job for.”

Ms Scanlon would not comment on the progress of a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation being made against Mr Thompson.

“In terms of any allegations or any misconduct there are appropriate channels for people to refer those matters too, whether that be the OIA or some instance the CCC,” she said.

“Those are the appropriate bodies to investigate the particular matters.

“I can’t influence the CCC so any questions about the allegations they may be undertaking need to be put to them.”

A Townsville City Council spokeswoman said the government-appointed adviser was expected to take on the role within several weeks.

“The department will manage the process of appointing the adviser with a commencement date yet to be determined,” the spokeswoman said.

Under the Act, the adviser could be appointed if the department believed the Townsville City Council was not performing its responsibilities properly, not complying with laws, or was in the public interest.

The adviser role could help the local government “build its capacity”, perform responsibilities properly, comply with laws, or perform other related duties as directed.

“The local government must co-operate fully with the adviser,” the legislation states.

Originally published as Local government minister Meaghan Scanlon to appoint special adviser amid Troy Thompson, CEO conflict