Troy Thompson: Journalist Gary Adshead takes aim at Townsville mayor's military service claims

A high-profile Western Australian journalist who helped expose a former Australian politician for stolen valour has set his sights on Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson.

Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson delivering his address at the 2024 Anzac Day Dawn Service at Anzac Park, The Strand. Picture: Evan Morgan

A high-profile Western Australian journalist who helped expose a former Australian politician for stolen valour has set his sights on Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson.

WAtoday journalist Gary Adshead, a presenter at Radio 6PR, took note of the Townsville Bulletin’s reporting on the controversy swirling around Mr Thompson and his claims of service in the Army in WA.

“The questions started after the mayor made a speech during Anzac Day services in Queensland,” Mr Adshead said on his Mornings show.

“While talking about his military record, it was noted by veterans in the audience that he wore no medals of his own.”

He said that this was despite claiming during an online media interview “that he’d served in WA for five years”.

The four-time West Australian Journalist of the Year who exposed former state politician Barry Urban for “telling porkie-pies”, told listeners Mr Thompson had claimed to have served in the 109 Signals squadron in Karrakatta, the 105 Signals in Fremantle and the 152 Signals in the SAS barracks in Swanbourne.

Mr Adshead noted that the claims from Mr Thompson – who has so far been unable to produce his service history, though he confirmed he had requested it – were now subject to an investigation by Queensland’s council integrity watchdog, the Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA).

“There are probably more twists and turns to come in this case but the mayor had better hope he can back up these claims of service because he does like to make very bold comments around the need for honesty in politics,” Mr Adshead said.

Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson took flak for failing to stand to attention in the correct position befitting a former soldier during the Anzac Ceremony before the recent North Queensland Cowboys’ NRL clash with Penrith Panthers in Townsville. Mayor Thompson had his hands clasped in front of him, whereas the past and former soldiers, including MP Phil Thompson were standing at attention with their arms at their sides . Picture: Supplied

Mr Adshead said former servicemen and women did not take kindly to false claims about military service.

“I suppose, just like in the Barry Urban case, time will tell but it is worth me asking the question given that we are in Western Australia and the claims relate to his service, he says, ‘what I believe to be in the late 1980s and 90s’.”

He asked his audience if there were any former members of the three squadrons if they ever served with Mr Thompson during that period to come forward.

“Let me know, because I am sure that we haven’t heard the last of this at this point in time.”

Mr Adshead said on Wednesday that not a single person had come forward to corroborate Mr Thompson’s service claims.

“None have other than I’ve had contact with some people who have done their history on those particular signal regiments and say that (Mr Thompson’s) timings are all out of whack,” he said.

Urban served as MP for Darling Range from March 2017 until he was forced to resign in disgrace in May 2018 after a number of scandals involving past false claims.

Urban was eventually sentenced to three years’ jail in late 2021 for lying about his university qualifications and military service abroad.

One of Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson's social media post about his army connections, which has since been deleted.

The OIA confirmed to the Townsville Bulletin this week it had taken carriage of Mayor Thompson’s issue on April 29.

Generally, all complaints to the OIA are investigated and can be referred to the Councillor Conduct Tribunal, which can refer any alleged inappropriate conduct back to Local Government for investigation.

Matters can then be referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on the part of Mr Thompson, who has placed a self-imposed ban on communicating with the Bulletin.

Mr Thompson has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Troy Thompson: Journalist Gary Adshead takes aim at Townsville mayor's military service claims