‘He should go’: Premier and mayor Miles apart

Townsville’s embattled mayor kept a low profile around visiting politicians at Townsville’s Bush Summit, skipping dinner as Miles issued calls for him to stand aside for the good of the city

Bush Summit at the Ville. Troy Thompson in the crowd. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Premier has had little engagement with embattled Mayor Troy Thompson, despite both attending the Courier Mail - Townsville Bush Summit on Friday.

Mr Thompson was seen, at times often isolated, at the summit held at The Ville, but was a no-show at the summit dinner held the night before.

An ongoing Crime and Corruption Commission investigation is being held against Mr Thompson after he acknowledged he misled voters about his army, business and university qualifications.

Most recently he denied suing the Townsville City Council for $100,000 despite an internal council document stating otherwise and demonstrating that he had demanded the sum in response to allegations of discrimination.

Bush Summit at the Ville. Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson. Picture: Evan Morgan

Steven Miles said during a press conference after his presentation at the Summit that he remained critical of the Mayor’s position but that Mr Thompson’s position was dependent either on resigning by choice or the findings of an ongoing Crime and Corruption Commission investigation.

But with two months to go the question remains as to whether the CCC’s investigation’s outcome would be dependent on the election results.

When asked if the results of the election in two months would have an impact on the investigation’s scope, Mr Miles said it would be up to opposition leader David Crisafulli to entertain the “hypothetical situation”.

Bush Summit at the Ville. Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson. Picture: Evan Morgan

“I have said he (Mr Thompson) should go, I have said that if he cares about Townsville...the best thing for Townsville is for him to stand aside and for us to get a Mayor without that cloud.

“I’ve been very clear on my thoughts, which is that Townsville and the Townsville region is just too important to our state and to our state’s economy.”

Mr Thompson was part of a delegation to Brisbane for two days this week along with Townsville Enterprise and Hinchinbrook Mayor Ramon Jayo, but photographs published by TEL indicated little interaction between Mr Thompson and ministerial representatives.

Mr Miles said he did not meet with Mr Thompson during the visit but he briefly did meet with TEL to determine what its priorities for the region would be.

Originally published as ‘He should go’: Premier and mayor Miles apart