How Office of Independent Assessor investigation into Troy Thompson could work

Mayor Troy Thompson will be paid even if he is asked to stand aside while investigations into his conduct are completed. LATEST

Mayor Troy Thompson will be paid even if he is asked to stand aside while investigations into his conduct are completed.

Councillors are expected to bring forward a motion at the Townsville City Council meeting on Wednesday calling for the Local Government Minister to step in and force Mayor Troy Thompson to stand aside after he admitted to misleading voters about his military service, university and business qualifications.

The Townsville Bulletin recently revealed Mr Thompson’s military records differed to his claims during the election he had served five years in the army including the SAS. Last week Townsville’s RSL Sub Branch issued a blistering statement in the wake of Mr Thompson’s misleading claims.

In an interview aired on A Current Affair, the mayor blamed “100 plus” concussions for forgetting details of his army service. 

Mayor Troy Thompson. Picture: Evan Morgan

Mr Thompson has defied calls from his 10 councillors, city leaders and Premier Steven Miles saying he should resign or step down after he told the national TV program he misled voters during and after the election.

Instead, Mr Thompson said he was looking forward to addressing the matter at Wednesday’s ordinary meeting.

“I’m disappointed some councillors have been influenced and taken this approach,” he said.

A majority of Townsville City Councillors have called on Troy Thompson to resign or be suspended at the next council meeting. Photo: Daniel Shirkie.

If the motion from councillors is passed in the chambers, Local Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon can step in to force Mr Thompson stand down until the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) and Officer of the Independent Assessor (OIA) investigations are complete.

She also had the power to dismiss a councillor, if her reasoning falls within the Local Government Act.

According to the Act, a tribunal will hold a hearing into the complaint for the assessor to determine if Mr Thompson has engaged in misconduct.

Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson on A Current Affair. Image: Channel 9

The CCC is a separate entity to the OIA.

They will also decide Mr Thompson’s punishment if the claim of misconduct is sustained, which could include recommending to the Minister that he be suspended from office for a period of time or dismissed from office.

If a complaint is sustained, they can also choose to make an order that the person reimburse the local government for some or all of the costs arising from their misconduct and that they not receive any allowance, benefit, payment or privilege produced to the councillor by the council.

Under the Act, the cost of the conduct tribunal is to be covered by the local government, which includes remuneration, allowances and expenses of tribunal members.

The tribunal can force Mr Thompson to pay for those expenses as part of any punishment, should the matter get to that stage.

The tribunal can also decide not to take any action against the councillor.

Under the Act, if a mayor steps down within the two years of their term, a by-election is called for a new mayor only. However, if it is outside of first 12 months, councillors elect a mayor internally.

Originally published as How Office of Independent Assessor investigation into Troy Thompson could work