Townsville Acting Mayor leaps to defence of CEO’s recruitment process

Townsville’s new Acting Mayor defends the process that led to the CEO’s appointment, in what is a blow to the council’s efforts for a fresh start.

Townsville City Council’s chief executive Joe McCabe and Acting Mayor Ann Maree-Greaney attend a meeting, the day it was reported that a leadership spill would be issued to oust the then deputy mayor Paul Jacob. Picture: Evan Morgan

Townsville’s Acting Mayor has leapt to the defence of the council’s chief executive recruitment process after her ousted predecessor slammed it.

Ms Greaney said the lengthy recruitment process last year which led to the recruitment of Joe McCabe had been “thorough, fair, and transparent.”

A series of confidential meetings had taken place among councillors in the Townsville City Council chamber, which even executive staff including the then interim CEO, Mr McCabe, were excluded from.

And in October Mr McCabe’s appointment was announced by the then deputy mayor Paul Jacob who praised him as a “highly experienced local government leader” after most councillors including himself voted in support of Mr McCabe’s candidacy in a public meeting.

But in a blow to the new acting mayor’s hopes of a united front, Mr Jacob attacked the process of how the CEO was elected, believing that with the loss of his deputy mayor role last month he was free to speak his mind about the issue.

Townsville City Council Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the CEO appointment process last year had been fair and transparent. Picture: TCC

He would not go into detail about his claims believing that to do so would breach confidentiality requirements.

Ms Greaney said Mr Jacob had publicly been favourable of the CEO’s appointment at the time and that all councillors had the opportunity to raise concerns privately and publicly.

“Mr Jacob’s change of heart is both disappointing and unhelpful,” she said.

“We all know that this is not how Townsville residents treat people who want to make Townsville their home, buy property, welcome families and invest in our community.

Townsville City Council CEO Joe McCabe and the then-Acting Mayor Paul Jacob. Picture: Evan Morgan

“We are a city of opportunity and forward-thinking leaders, who drive change.

“It’s time our actions match that and at this critical time our focus must remain on working to deliver for the community.

“All of council must stay focused on our commitment to serving Townsville by addressing issues, not individuals.”

At a special meeting in December, the newly appointed Deputy Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney stands in the background as, Paul Jacob and councillor Brodie Phillips shake hands. Picture: Evan Morgan

Mayor Troy Thompson was suspended for 12 months paid leave which Local Government Minister Ann Leahy said had been at his request, while a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation was held against him over concerns of misconduct and misrepresentation.

Mr Jacob was the deputy mayor but in the aftermath of Mr Thompson’s suspension being announced, councillors Kristian Price and Brodie Phillips sought a special meeting in December to replace him with a new acting mayor.

Mr Jacob stepped down, which he said was necessary as he claimed the State Government was prepared to remove the councillors from their positions to stabilise the council, and Ms Greaney was elected in his place.

Originally published as Townsville Acting Mayor leaps to defence of CEO’s recruitment process