David Crisafulli, Steven Miles speak ahead of midnight deadline on Townsville mayor Troy Thompson’s show-cause notice

Steven Miles has questioned whether David Crisafulli will follow through on disciplinary action towards Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson if the LNP are elected this weekend, hinting that the city’s embattled leader could be out the door before Saturday.

Mayor Troy Thompson has until midnight Monday to respond to the State Government’s ‘show cause’ notice of a 12-month suspension. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Steven Miles has questioned whether David Crisafulli will follow through on disciplinary action towards Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson if the LNP are elected this weekend, hinting that the city’s embattled leader could be out the door before Saturday.

Mr Thompson has been under fire for misrepresenting his military, university and business qualifications during the election, and has spent months publicly warring with his councillors and CEO since a vote of no-confidence was handed down in June.

As their final move before going into caretaker mode three weeks ago, Local Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon, Premier Miles and other cabinet ministers signed off on the decision to issue a show-cause notice to Mr Thompson on why he should not be suspended for 12 months.

The embattled mayor, who last week again came under fire for ‘liking’ racist and anti-Semitic third-party comments left on his Facebook page, had until midnight Monday to respond to Ms Scanlon’s marching orders.

“He’s got until tonight to respond to that show-cause notice, we look forward to seeing that response and seeking advice about whether the response is sufficient,” Mr Miles told reporters in Cairns on Monday.

“I’ve been pretty strong on this issue from Day 1, I’ve said him being in that role is bad for Townsville and what’s bad for Townsville is bad for Queensland.”

Premier Steven Miles answered a question about Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson during a press conference in Cairns on Monday, October 21. Picture: Adam Head

The Premier said he was “concerned” that Mr Crisafulli hadn’t expressed strong support in following through with any disciplinary action towards Townsville’s mayor kickstarted by Ms Scanlon.

“If there is an intention to progress any decision between now and the weekend while we are in caretaker then yes there are well established processes to do just that,” Mr Miles said.

“I am concerned that (Mr Crisafulli) didn’t express support for that action at the time so I am concerned what it would mean if he is elected this weekend whether he will follow through on those actions.

“I think people in Townsville though can be very confident Labor has their backs, that we want to make sure they have a functional council because we’re really frustrated about how work has stalled on a range of projects that run across multiple levels of government ever since the mayoralty there changed.”

While in caretaker mode, the acting government can make a deal with Mr Crisafulli to take further action in removing Mr Thompson, or they may choose to wait until after the election and leave the decision to whomever is elected Premier of Queensland.

Speaking in Townsville on Monday, Mr Crisafulli said he had not yet received the legal advice Mr Miles said he would share with him about Mr Thompson, but that his position regarding the mayor had not changed.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli during a media conference at Townsville Montessori Early Learning Centre. Cranbrook. Picture: Liam Kidston

“I’ve been very upfront for a very long time that I don’t believe his position is tenable,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“When the government said they would look to make a decision to move on that, I said the same thing, very happy to receive the submission.”

Mr Crisafulli doubled down on the importance of Townsville to the state election campaign.

“I want the people of this great city to know that they deserve the kind of representation they can be proud of – because right now they don’t have it from the council and they don’t have it from the three local members,” he said.

“They don’t feel as though they have advocates and I can assure you from Saturday that will change if you vote for change.

“And if you vote for the three LNP candidates (behind me) you’ll get a fresh start and I can assure residents that we’ve be giving every careful consideration to make sure they can get that from their council as well.”

Originally published as David Crisafulli, Steven Miles speak ahead of midnight deadline on Townsville mayor Troy Thompson’s show-cause notice