Troy Thompson Townsville mayor investigated by Crime and Corruption Commission
Queensland’s Premier and other leaders have spoken out amid the news Townsville mayor Troy Thompson is under investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission.
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Queensland’s Premier says “there should be consequences” if Townsville mayor Troy Thompson is found to have misled the public during his election campaign.
Queensland’s council integrity watchdog has referred Mr Thompson to the Crime and Corruption Commission after questions arose about his military service.
Mr Thompson’s service record revealed he did not spend five years in the army or SAS as he told voters during the campaign, but less than six months undertaking entry-level training within the army reserves over two and a half years.
It can also be revealed further complaints have been lodged with the Office of the Independent Assessor and CCC regarding the mayor’s university qualifications as well as donations to his campaign.
The first in question is a $2000 “cash donation for advertising” from John Honeycombe on March 7, 2024, published in the Electoral Commission of Queensland’s disclosure system. John is an investor and the father of major developer Peter Honeycombe.
The second donation refers to a ‘gift’ from AP Williams Builders listed on Mr Thompson’s Townsville City Council register of interests for an amount greater than $500 for “campaign sponsorship – Radio Triple M”.
The family-owned building firm offers house and land packages across Townsville.
A property developer can be an individual or business that regularly makes relevant planning applications to council, the ECQ states.
An ECQ spokeswoman told the Bulletin: “It is unlawful for a candidate to accept a gift or loan from a property developer, their close associates, or an industry organisation representing property developers under the Prohibited Donors Scheme”.
The maximum penalty for knowingly making or accepting an unlawful political donation is a $52,220 fine or two years in prison.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on the part of Mr Honeycombe or AP Williams Builders.
Prior to being elected, Mr Thompson’s LinkedIn profile listed a number of qualifications, including a Bachelor of Science, Occupational Safety and Health Technology with Curtin University completed 1990-1993, during the same time he was enlisted in the army reserves.
It also stated he holds a Bachelor of Commerce, Accounting and Marketing via Griffith University from 2000-2005.
During his mayoral campaign, Mr Thompson referred to himself as “a business graduate”.
A search of online award verifications show no record of Mr Thompson or his previously-known name, Troy Birnbrauer, having graduated at either Griffith or Curtin Universities.
These qualifications no longer appear on Mr Thompson’s LinkedIn profile, with his only employment showing his current title, Mayor of Townsville.
An OIA spokeswoman confirmed they received Mr Thompson’s military service history on May 22.
“On 24 May the OIA referred the matter to the Crime and Corruption Commission (the conduct of candidates is a matter for other agencies),” the spokeswoman said.
“The OIA will not be commenting further on this matter at this time.”
Meanwhile, state and federal politicians were asked whether Mr Thompson should stand aside pending the outcome of the CCC investigation.
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said there wouldn’t be any other town “where it would be worse to lie about your (army) service than Townsville”.
“ … Whenever anyone runs for public office, it’s absolutely critical that the claims that they make about service are accurate,” Mr Miles told reporters over the weekend.
“Townsville has the biggest army contingent and I’m sure they’ll take a pretty dim view of somebody lying about their service.”
He also said “if the Townsville mayor has misled the Townsville people … there should be consequences for that”.
Federal Member for Herbert Phil Thompson, an army veteran himself, said “serving our nation in the ADF is a high honour and not something that should be treated lightly”.
“There are a lot of people asking a number of legitimate questions about the mayor’s service history, and hopefully the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) investigation will provide some answers,” he said.
“As there is an active CCC investigation under way I won’t make further comment as it may compromise the investigation’s integrity.”
Townsville MP Scott Stewart said a person’s past should be open for scrutiny when holding office.
“Any person running for politics must be honest, open and transparent with the community about their past and also what they stand for,” Mr Stewart said.
Mr Thompson has refused to answer any of the Bulletin’s questions about his past, including claims made during his mayoral campaign in March.
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