Townsville mayor Troy Thompson’s bizarre rant after absence

Townsville’s absent $4000-a-week mayor Troy Thompson has warned those who have done him wrong should be ‘very concerned’ in a rant that accused the media and councillors of bullying behaviour.

Townsville’s absent $4000-a-week mayor Troy Thompson has warned those who have done him wrong should be ‘very concerned’ in a social media rant that accused the media and councillors of bullying behaviour.

Mr Thompson, who has taken mental health leave from the council after revelations about his false claims over his military service, academic achievements and business success went national, said he watched the State of Origin after the historic day.

“Upon reflection, yesterday wasn’t great and certainly did not go according to plan,’’ Mr Thompson wrote.

He detailed his whole day, including preparing for the ordinary meeting from 5am, before he and his ‘wonderful partner’ met him at the council chambers to support him ‘through what would be a tough day’.

Mr Thompson said he then met with the CEO Joe McCabe and council’s legal team, “to announce I’d be taking a leave of absence, due to my health decline as a direct result from media and councillor bullying”.

At 9.25am he departed the office and grabbed a late breakfast from one of Townsville’s favourite local restaurants.

Cr Paul Jabob chairs the Townsville City Council meeting vote of no confidence in Mayor Troy Thompson. Picture: Evan Morgan

At 11:30am, “due to lack of sleep, I took some time out for a nap on the couch while the rumour mill carried on”.

“Most disappointing was hearing the media and councillors’ smugness in what they think they achieved …”

At 6pm, he said he requested time to clean out his office so the acting mayor could move in and handed back the key and garage remote.

He then listed his achievements: “In years of reporting my issue to council, and (former mayor) Jenny Hill, it took Mayor Troy Thompson a few short weeks to fix … details withheld.”

“Jabiru Park had many complaints, I assisted the proponents when not a Mayor on how to get rocks / fence and how to get grants, I recommended who in council, and it happened, that wasn’t by accident, and not a one off.’’

Townsville City Council meeting vote of no confidence in Mayor Troy Thompson. Picture: Evan Morgan

“I remain attached to my community, always have, and always will be, I’m not from the Public Service or the Government, I get the real issues and I am proud of all the accomplishments.”

However, former Deputy Mayor and councillor for the Upper Ross Mark Molachino disputed that Mr Thompson had resolved the issues for Jabiru Park.

Mr Molachino said he “spat the dummy” before his time at council was up to get funding moved from Riverway to Jabiru Park as staff had decided not to do it even though it was in the budget.

“Riverway isn’t an issue at the moment, it’s not getting hit with stolen cars … Jabiru was,” he said.

Mr Molachino said that was the “spoils of winning and losing an election” that he would not get credit or praise from the community, but it took time for matters like this to be dealt with.

He said there was a “process”, and designs would have needed to be done.

“One person doesn’t dictate where budget goes, it has to go through council,” Mr Molachino said.

There were numerous comments of support on Mr Thompson’s post State of Origin post, including from Karen Woods, who said, “I’m sad about this. Regardless of the deceit we voted you in and should be up to us to decide if we want you to go.”

Mr Thompson replied the ‘media portrayed things in many ways, and the councillors bought into it sadly, that’s why there is a CCC investigation to stop bias, though it is not without government attachment, it should be completely independent in my view.”

Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson’s military record has come under question after revelations by the Townsville Bulletin. Picture: Evan Morgan

When someone said they hope to see him back soon, Mr Thompson replied: “So do I, and those who’ve done me wrong should be very concerned’

Townsville City Council’s acting CEO will ask the Local Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon to either suspend or dismiss Mayor Troy Thompson “as soon as possible” over his “conduct and character” after the council met yesterday.

In a statement Wednesday afternoon, a council spokesperson said council resolved to have CEO Joe McCabe write to the Chief Executive of the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works regarding Mr Thompson’s “fitness for the office of Mayor”.

It could be some time before Townsville finds out if they’ll have a new permanent mayor, as a Crime and Corruption Commission probe looks into Troy Thompson’s misleading claims over his military, university and business history.

Mr Thompson earlier threatened to dissolve the entire council over what he claims is a political witch hunt against him.

“Minister, due process should always take precedence over media play, and not political interference,” Mr Thompson wrote. “I call on all correspondence from all Local, State and Ministerial staff to be investigated, and if conflict is found, TCC council is dissolved in its entirety, and all positions compromised should be put up for re-election, the witch hunt should stop until there is a real outcome by the CCC.”

Councillors have rejected claims of any interference, saying a by-election should be held to test Mr Thompson’s support in the community.

Speaking in Townsville on Wednesday, Premier Steven Miles said it was not possible for the government to “step in” right away.

“All we can do though, is call on him to do the right thing: To do the right thing by Townsville and Townsville locals,” Mr Miles said.

The Premier said Local Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon needed to follow due process and allow the CCC to do its job, “but those investigations will take time”.

Deputy Paul Jacob will be acting mayor during Mr Thompson’s leave of absence.

The council is also understood to be investigating whether or not Mr Thompson will continue to receive his salary as mayor, worth more than $210,000 annually.

Originally published as Townsville mayor Troy Thompson’s bizarre rant after absence