Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson hits back at Qld Premier Steven Miles’ bid to oust him from office

A controversial first-term mayor has slammed Queensland political leaders’ last-ditch attempts to remove him from office.

An embattled North Queensland mayor has slammed Premier Steven Miles’ late-night move to remove him from office hours before the state government entered caretaker mode.

Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson has been issued a show cause notice as to why he shouldn’t be suspended from duties for 12 months.

The first-term mayor and one-time-almost One Nation candidate is the subject of a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation for allegedly misleading voters on his military, university and business qualifications during his campaign and allegedly accepting campaign donations linked to property developers.

Despite having three weeks to respond, Mr Thompson on Tuesday sent his reply to Local Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon, rejecting the government’s claims he should be stood down.

Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson is facing a CCC investigation. Picture: Facebook

Mr Thompson claimed the show cause notice he received at 7.03am on Tuesday was “unacceptable” given it was sent to him during the government caretaker mode.

However, the government officially entered caretaker mode about 8am when Premier Steven Miles visited Government House to meet with Queensland Governor Jeannette Young and kick off the election.

Mr Thompson rejected the government’s move to suspend him, claiming it was a “political hit job”.

“It appears that your government in taking the stance which it has is acting based on hearsay and limited evidence, has not taken into account all relevant circumstances and has not itself undertaken a thorough and independent investigation of the underlying facts,” Mr Thompson stated in a letter to Ms Scanlon that he posted on social media.

“Your actions, in the above context, show a complete disregard for the principles of natural justice and, perhaps, might be viewed as having been taken for ulterior purposes given the looming state election.

“This conclusion appears inescapable giving the timing of your actions, where the electorates in proximity to Townsville are key seats, and the media attention which has been given to the situation and you’re intended course of action across the last 48 hours … will show the leaks to the media by the government and how the government has sought to politicise this issue for its own perceived advantage.”

Mr Thompson was elected as mayor in March. Picture: Supplied / Facebook

Mr Thompson was elected in March, but a month later he spoke at the Townsville Anzac Day Dawn Service without wearing any medals of his own despite claiming he was in the elite SAS.

Public opinion in Townsville, home to tens of thousand of current and former service personnel and their families, soured quickly.

Both Mr Miles, and Opposition Leader David Crisafulli – the latter a former Townsville councillor – have said the mayor’s position was untenable and a detriment to the city.

The show cause notice gives the mayor three weeks to respond. From there, the state government and the opposition could work out arrangements under the caretaker conventions to remove him from office.

Barring a caretaker decision, whichever man is sworn in as premier after the election can either suspend or permanently remove the mayor.

However, Mr Thompson said, in his letter to Ms Scanlon, that he would “not hesitate to seek a Supreme Court injunction immediately” if the government followed through with its show cause notice.

Again, Mr Thompson referred to his belief the letter was sent during caretaker mode.

“It is the case that you and your government should not and cannot be making such decisions that hold significant weight during the caretaker period, particularly as these decisions could have been taken months ago given that circumstances have not changed,” he wrote.

“The timing of your letter tends to support a view that your actions lack bona fides.

“I note the timing of your letter and proposed actions, which appear to be an attempt to burden the incoming government with this issue, likely anticipating that you will not be part of it.

“This manoeuvre is transparent to me and majority of residents.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles says his cabinet will decide what the next step is on Monday. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Mr Thompson said the show cause notice was a way at “undermining democratic principles”.

“It seems you do not wish for councillors from your political party to stop undermining my role,” he said.

The show cause notice also left he boss of the Local Government Association of Queensland criticising the move.

“We are disappointed with the lack of consultation from the state government leading up to this action,” LGAQ chief executive Alison Smith said.

“It is absolutely crucial that any state intervention is based on proper process and sound reasoning which must also be transparent, measured and above politics.

“Considerations must take into account any precedent it could set for the elected mayors and councillors of all 77 councils across Queensland.”

The legalities of the move were hammered out in a late night cabinet meeting ahead of caretaker mode taking hold today, October 1, the Bulletin reports.

Townsville City councillors moved a motion of no confidence against the mayor in June, less than two months after the local government elections.

While the no-confidence motion was carried, Mr Thompson has continued to ignore calls for him to step down as leader.

“We’re still receiving legal advice on what processes might be available to us when it comes to Mr Thompson,” Mr Miles said on Monday.

“I’ve been absolutely consistent that I thought the best thing in Townsville’s interests would be for him to stand aside.

“He’s consistently refused to do so.”

Mr Miles said many constituents had raised concerns about Mr Thompson’s ongoing tenure.

“But last week, we received advice via the CCC that the process of that investigation could take many, many more months,” Mr Miles said.

“And then I received advice that the situation at council appeared to be getting worse, not better.

“Those two pieces of information led me to the view that if we can act now, we should, and so that’s the legal advice that we’ve been seeking.”

On Sunday, Mr Thompson responded to the news of the Premier’s show cause notice plan.

“Let me be unequivocal: there is no justifiable cause for such an action,” Mr Thompson wrote on social media.

“This would not only be an attack on a political rival but also an affront to the democratic rights of the residents of Townsville.

Mr Thompson says he’ll consider legal action depending on what cabinet decides. Picture: Facebook.

“The Premier claims that the council is dysfunctional. However, at our last ordinary meeting, the 11 councillors, including myself, successfully passed 15 individual decisions without any dysfunction.”

Mr Thompson said he was considering legal action pending Mr Miles’ decision.

“My commitment to serving our community remains steadfast, and I will not allow political motivations to undermine the democratic process,” he wrote.

“Should the Premier proceed with this unjust action, I am prepared to immediately seek a Supreme Court injunction to protect the integrity of our Local Government and ensure that your voices continue to be heard.

“I understand that our city is divided in its support. That is the essence of democracy.

“During challenging times, those who did not support me may be the most vocal.

“However, this does not mean that the voices of those who did support me should be silenced.

“Thank you for your continued support. Together, we will stand strong for Townsville”.

During the election campaign, Mr Thompson claimed to have been in the army for five years, including a stint with the elite SAS forces.

His record was later debunked, with his service record revealing he did less than six months of entry-level training with the army reserves.

Mr Thompson also previously confirmed he had never completed his business degree.

He had been nominated to run for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation at a previous state election but was disendorsed by the party.

Originally published as Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson hits back at Qld Premier Steven Miles’ bid to oust him from office