MPs will be watching Townsville City Council’s interactions

Thuringowa’s new MP Natalie Marr, a former city councillor who served alongside David Crisafulli in local politics, will be watching the council’s performance.

Premier David Crisafulli with Member for Townsville Adam Baillie, Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole and Member for Thuringowa Natalie Marr on his first visit north after being sworn-in. Picture: Evan Morgan

Thuringowa MP Natalie Marr says she’ll be keeping a close eye on the suspended mayor’s continued interactions with the Townsville City Council and will inform the Local Government Minister if necessary.

Ms Marr defended the government’s decision to suspend Troy Thompson for 12 months on full pay while a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation was held, and repeated the local government minister’s explanation that the government was limited in what it could do.

In Townsville last week Local Government Minister Ann Leahy said Mr Thompson’s movements would not be restricted and that he would have the access in the community and the council offices in the same way as any other ratepayer.

“Mr Thompson is basically a member of the public going forward, so he does not have access to any of the council resources during this period, he is basically the same as a member of the public.”

Troy Thompson speaks to media outside a Townsville City Council meeting. Picture: Shae Beplate.

When suggested to Ms Marr that the suspended mayor would have freedom over his own social media posts and in attending council meetings as a member of the public gallery, she said, “I’m not going to comment on that, but I’m seeing what you’re seeing.”

Ms Marr is a former Townsville City Council councillor who served four years under mayor Les Tyrell and then deputy mayor David Crisafulli, and chaired governance and finance.

“I hold such respect for the role that they play so I will be keeping a very close eye on it personally and working very closely with that just to make sure the community understands that I’m here, I’m listening,” Ms Marr said.

Local Government Minister Ann Leahy visited the Townsville City Council to explain the decision behind suspending Mayor Troy Thompson on paid leave for 12 months. Picture: Evan Morgan

“I’m feeling the same things they are feeling, I’m feeling the same frustrations but we’re moving forward.”

Suspension had not stopped Mr Thompson from posting his opinions as a political commentator on social media even though he removed his former official title from his page name, using questions to suggest ideas and to seek public feedback, even as members of the community complain that comments critical of him and his actions were being deleted.

On Wednesday he suggested beach huts along Pallarenda, while earlier in the week he raised concerns about money spent on major projects in the previous council term such as the Haughton Pipeline, Lansdown, and the Northern Rail Yards.

Thuringowa MP Natalie Marr supported the Local Government Minister’s decision to suspend Mr Thompson but also understood ratepayers’ frustrations. Picture: Scott Radford-Chisholm

The council has tried to distance itself from Mr Thompson’s posts, as a spokeswoman clarified the suspended mayor was responsible for his own social media account.

Meanwhile, Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole said she understood the community’s frustrations and that she was among the ratepayers being burdened by Mr Thompson’s salary.

But she said that if the government did not follow proper process then there could be further issues raised in the future.

Mundingburra MP Janelle Poole said procedures need to be followed properly or it would cause further problems later. Picture: Scott Radford-Chisholm

“We need to get it right, if we don’t follow the correct policies and procedures that then opens up a whole new can of worms later on down the track,” she said.

“So it’s really, really important that we follow processes and procedures and wait for the outcome of that Crime and Corruption Commission inquiry.”

Townsville MP Adam Baillie said the focus should be on ensuring business confidence in the city, and this could not happen while internal politics were not aligned. Pic: Scott Radford-Chisholm

Townsville MP Adam Baillie accused the previous government of delaying action against Mr Thompson for months, which had held back the city’s economic progress.

He blamed the situation within the council as a “lack of alignment” not just within local government circles but across all three tiers of government.

“If we want the city to move forward, which we do, we need alignment not just within council but from the federal government to the state government, to the local government, and then ultimately private investors and the general public.

“We want to all be aligned with which way the city’s going and when one layer of government’s distracted about internal politics versus getting the alignment and their focus on moving the city forward, that’s unhealthy.”

When asked how the Townsville MP could help the council to operate at its best, Mr Baillie said, “I’m not sure as a state member I can ensure that, but I can certainly encourage that and work with council to understand what their key issues are and key priorities are over the term.

“Hopefully they would see it in their interest to help me achieve those priorities.

“If we can get alignment, it’s only going to do very good things for the city.”

Originally published as MPs will be watching Townsville City Council’s interactions