Email from Townsville mayor Troy Thompson shows attempt to sue council for $100,000

Despite repeated denials from Townsville’s embattled mayor that he never attempted to sue his own council for $100,000, an explosive email from the mayor’s office has proven otherwise.

Embattled Townsville mayor Troy Thompson. Picture: Evan Morgan

Despite repeated denials from Townsville’s embattled mayor that he never attempted to sue his own council for $100,000, an explosive email from the mayor’s office has proven otherwise.

An email obtained by the Bulletin sent from Mr Thompson to council’s acting CEO Joe McCabe reveals that the mayor did in fact demand $100,000 in compensation for “a breach of his human rights”.

The email, dated June 24, 2024, also includes a number of accusations including that council was not allowing the mayor to return to work despite medical clearance.

Mr Thompson requested a leave of absence on June 5 “for mental health reasons” following a vote of no confidence from councillors after the Bulletin revealed he had misled voters about his army, university and business qualifications.

According to Mr Thompson’s email to Mr McCabe, he attempted to return to work on June 12, but “the council employed security guards to physically stop the mayor from entering the workplace” on Walker Street.

The mayor claimed the council had instructed security staff to “block the entrances of the building to ensure the mayor could not enter”.

It is understood council required medical clearance proving Mr Thompson was fit and able to return to his duties as mayor.

The discrimination claim is largely based on Mr Thompson’s epilepsy, which he told the Bulletin on Friday formed the basis of his complaint to the Queensland Human Rights Commission, to send a message and to advocate for epileptics in the workplace.

The revelation comes after the Townsville Bulletin published a story on July 31 that Mr Thompson was seeking $100,000 in compensation from his own council, after which the mayor took to Facebook to denounce the report, saying “I am not suing anyone, especially my own council”.

He further demanded the Bulletin publish “a full retraction of this story on the grounds that it is incorrect and misleading”.

Townsville mayor Troy Thompson told his Facebook followers: "I am not suing anyone, especially my own council".

Mr Thompson on Friday again denied claims he attempted to financially punish ratepayers, telling the Bulletin after the special council meeting “it’s not about money” and the talk of a compensation claim was just “political football”.

“I won’t entertain that, there’s a complaint that was raised, and sent through to an end journey,” he said.

But the email obtained by the Bulletin outlines multiple demands for council to comply with within 14 days, otherwise the mayor would initiate a complaint with the Queensland Human Rights Commission.

The demand letter from Mr Thompson’s official mayoral email address states:

“COUNCIL IS REQUIRED TO:

1. Cease all discriminatory actions against the Mayor immediately

2. Ensure the Mayor is brought back into the office without delay within 14 days of the date on this notice by taking whatever steps are necessary to admit the Mayor into his office and into the role as Chairperson of Council as elected by his constituents

3. Issue an unreserved apology to the Mayor and to the residents of Townsville for whom the Mayor represents based on the discrimination the Mayor has faced during this time

4. Pay the sum of $100,000 to the Mayor by way of settlement for damages and/or embarrassment and/or hurt and/or loss opportunity — for the discrimination suffered by the Mayor to this point.”

The email concludes with the line: “BE ON NOTICE: The Mayor will be seeking substantial compensation (including aggravated damages) for this significant and embarrassing breach of his human rights by way of discrimination should you fail to comply”.

Mr Thompson was approached for comment.

He is currently the subject of an ongoing Crime and Corruption Commission investigation.

Originally published as Email from Townsville mayor Troy Thompson shows attempt to sue council for $100,000