Mackay CEO Michael Thomson steps down for three months

Mackay Regional Council will be without its captain for three months as he prepares for a health battle after urgent surgery. But the acting CEO is confident she has everything in hand.

Mackay Regional Council chief executive officer Michael Thomson will stand down from the role for three months to battle serious health issues.

Mr Thomson, who took up the role with the council 18 months ago, has extended his leave for three months to recover from urgent surgery for bowel cancer.

The appointment came less than a year after his high-profile sacking from the Northern Territory’s Power and Water Corporation.

Mackay Regional Council chief executive officer Michael Thomson will take three months of leave to battle bowel cancer.

The territory’s Chief Minister Michael Gunner fired Mr Thomson, along with Territory Generation CEO Tim Duignan, in response to an “unacceptable” nine-hour blackout in Alice Springs in October 2019.

Mr Thomson has undergone an urgent operations after his recent diagnosis for bowel cancer.

He will now embark on a journey of treatment, including chemotherapy.

Mr Thomson, who informed Mackay council staff today, said the diagnosis came as a huge shock to him and his family.

He said it was an extremely personal matter, but he was willing to talk openly about his health battle as part of the council’s safety and wellbeing value.

“As I told staff in my announcement today, it is a stark reminder about how important regular health check-ups and screenings are,’’ Mr Thomson said.

“This includes annual bowel cancer screenings as part of the national program for those who are eligible.

“I have had to have extremely confronting conversations with my loved ones, including my children, in recent weeks, and those regular screenings could prevent other Mackay families from having to go through what we are.”

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson with chief executive officer Michael Thomson.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the thoughts of councillors, senior leadership and staff were with the CEO and his family.

“Michael really needs to focus on his health and his family during this time,’’ he said.

“He has also recognised that council needs some stability in leadership in the interim and has requested three months’ leave.

“Council is able to grant that under the Local Government Act and we are more than willing to accommodate this leave to assist Michael and his family.”

Acting CEO Angela Hays, the council’s Community and Client Services director, will remain in the role during this time.

Acting CEO Angela Hays shakes hands with Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson. Mrs Hays will serve as acting CEO while Mr Thomson undergoes treatment for cancer. Picture: Duncan Evans

“Mixed feelings for me,” she said.

“Obviously the circumstances surrounding it are not ideal and I wish Michael all the best in his recovery.

“But I’m excited for the opportunity on the other hand and confident we have a very strong executive leadership team and together we’ll be able to keep things moving for the next three months while Michael’s out of the business.”

Mrs Hays said she hoped to continue on with the many of the initiatives Mr Thomson instigated.

“I would like him to feel confident that he doesn’t have to worry about work, he doesn’t have to think about anything that is going on here at council, he can spend his full focus on his health and his family at this time.”