Suspended Mayor Troy Thompson has had his petition to dismiss Townsville City Council rejected by Minister

The Local Government Minister has delivered her findings after disgraced suspended Mayor Troy Thompson filed a petition to sack Townsville City Council.

Minister Ann Leahy at parliament has rejected a petition put forward by suspended Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson to dismiss the Council. Pic Annette Dew

Local Government Minister Ann Leahy says suspended Mayor Troy Thompson’s bid to have the whole of Townsville City Council dismissed does not meet the requirements set out in the legislation.

Mr Thompson had petitioned the government, with the help of the clerk of the parliament Neil Laurie to remove every sitting councillor in Townsville.

In a letter to Mr Laurie, Ms Leahy said that while the Local Government Act 2009 allows the dismissal of a democratically elected council, it was only possible under a certain specific set of circumstances.

Suspended Mayor Troy Thompson. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Ms Leahy further stated that at this time the threshold of dismissal as outlined in the relevant provisions of the act had not been met, and the petition had not persuaded the Minister otherwise.

A Change.org petition was created by Mr Thompson on May 15 and had garnered over 1,300 signatures.

Mr Thompson said in a letter to Mr Laurie, which he posted to his Facebook page, that as the “suspended democratically elected mayor of Townsville” he had an obligation to the people of the city.

Suspended Mayor Troy Thompson has created a petition in a bid to "Dismiss Townsville City Council".

Mr Thompson also said that he had “enough evidence” to demonstrate to Minister Leahy she should dismiss the current council under section 123 and 124 of the Local Government Act 2009, which included “breaching of five key principals.”

Minister Leahy also said in the letter that the Department of Local Government would continue to support and monitor the council and would keep her informed of any issues which may require her attention.

Mr Thompson was suspended after a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation was launched into claims he made during the local government elections.

He became embroiled in controversy asker the 2024 Anzac Day service when veterans raised the alarm about his lack of service medals and his military history.

He was criticised over claims he had misled the community about his service record, had been in court on domestic violence charges under a different name and had said he completed university degrees that he did not. No convictions were recorded in the domestic violence matters.

Mr Thompson said that while he does accept the decision Ms Leahy has made, he welcomes the Department of Local Government’s continued review of the council’s fiscal management, both past and present.

“Whilst disappointed, as many residents in Townsville would be, it certainly does not end here,” he said.

“I am not surprised by this initial response, and I will continue with my brief of evidence to the Ministers office. We need to investigate the poor decisions made by the previous local government executives and councillors, and any alleged corrupt behaviour.”

Mr Thompson said that documents he was aware of and preparing for the Crime and Corruption Commission, he believed the Local Government Minister had not seen.

“For the TCC to be 40 years behind on capital works projects valued at $1.5bn, and behind on basic services, sewage, underpaying ground staff, the highest rates for businesses, and support for some community events being trimmed down is a travesty,” Mr Thompson said.

“I will always side with community when tabling petitions and documentation to the state government.”

Originally published as Suspended Mayor Troy Thompson has had his petition to dismiss Townsville City Council rejected by Minister