Townsville mayor Troy Thompson concedes ‘clean sweep’ among council executives

As the Townsville City Council openly looks to finding a new CEO, a reshuffle quietly takes place from behind closed doors.

Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson, who sits with his deputy Paul Jacob, said there had been changes within his executive team. He said the transfer would be challenging but that he would not be frightened by it. Picture: Evan Morgan

Townsville mayor Troy Thompson acknowledged a “clean sweep” was happening within the council’s executive team but said his only direct influence was with the chief executive.

Mr Thompson said it was not his decision for outgoing chief executive Prins Ralston to resign two days after the new council was sworn in, but conceded they had different ideas about how the council should operate.

“Prins and I have two different visions of the world,” Mr Thompson said.

“There’s lots of rumours but Prins and I had a decision and the following day Prins came in and he decided to resign.

“That’s where it sits and I support him.”

CEO Prins Ralston and mayor Troy Thompson pictured at the council’s swearing in ceremony. Two days after this photograph was taken Dr Ralston announced his resignation. Mr Thompson said they both had different ways of looking at the world but that he would be willing to give a recommendation to his outgoing CEO. Picture: Evan Morgan

Mr Thompson conceded there was a “clean sweep” from within the executives including the chief financial officer role, while the outgoing chief executive also revealed legal counsel officer Tony Bligh was also retiring.

“There’s lots going on,” Mr Thompson said.

“That’s got nothing to do with me because I don’t dictate the operations, the only one I can give direction to is the chief executive officer.”

Townsville City councillors will be focused on determining an interim CEO, a permanent CEO, and advisers for the mayor. Mayor Troy Thompson, Cr Paul Jacob, Cr Ann-Marie Greaney and Cr Kristian Price. Picture: Evan Morgan

While Mr Thompson denied getting rid of a team from the former Jenny Hill administration, he said it was the expectation of the broader community for bureaucratic decisions to be made differently.

“Let’s get serious, strip out all the things because it’s more efficient and move forward,” he said.

“It's going to be a tough time but I’m certainly not frightened by it.”

Deputy mayor Paul Jacob said advisers would be determined for the mayor in a special council meeting. Picture: Evan Morgan

While concerns about the mayor’s claimed military history were referred to the Office of the independent Assessor to scrutinise, the council also looks to determine the appointment of the interim chief executive officer who would fulfil the position for several months when Dr Ralston leaves from May 10.

In a special council meeting on Wednesday the interim position would be discussed as would the appointment and number of paid mayoral advisers.

Mr Thompson has on several occasions referred to his external advisers that have advised him on motions as well as on budgetary numbers.

It is understood Mr Thompson, or any councillor, could be eligible for up to three advisers who were required to be “qualified persons” under the 2009 Local Government Act.

“However, the councillor must not appoint a close associate of the councillor as a councillor adviser,” the act states.

Deputy mayor Paul Jacob said a change of council staff was typical in the transition under a new mayor, and this had previously happened when former mayor Jenny Hill was elected in 2012.

“As far as I’m concerned I’m not aware of a mass exodus at all,” he said.

“It can be a normal thing when different mayors come in, and the same scenario is probably playing out for Troy as well.”

Mr Jacob said it was important that the council find an interim chief executive as soon as possible, and he hoped it would be concluded by the end of the meeting.

He confirmed that his daughter Bella, a previous electorate officer for Labor MP Les Walker, had shown interest in the mayoral advisory position.

Mr Jacob said it was his daughter’s decision whether or not she wished to apply, and that he could not stop her from doing so.

“These positions will be working for the mayor and I believe that the mayor can have no family or wives, girlfriends, that sort of thing,” Mr Jacob said.

“But for other councillors, the only thing I had to consider, which I said to my daughter, is … will the perception out in the community be that Paul’s got his daughter a job?

“I’ve toyed with this for quite a bit and I believe any suitable person, fully qualified, should still deserve an interview, it doesn’t mean she’s got the job.”

Originally published as Townsville mayor Troy Thompson concedes ‘clean sweep’ among council executives