Troy Thompson’s paid suspension to cost ratepayers an extra $72,000 as Qld Treasury documents outline decision

There’ll be a hit to ratepayers’ pockets worth tens of thousands of dollars as Townsville’s ousted mayor takes a 12-month paid holiday, as government documents also reveal why he wasn’t just dismissed.

Ousted mayor Troy Thompson at a recent Townsville City Council general meeting. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Ratepayers will be slogged an extra $72,000 as ousted mayor Troy Thompson puts his feet up for 12 months, it can be revealed.

An ‘impact analysis statement’ filed by the Department of Local Government outlined the reasons behind the decision to suspend Mr Thompson for a year on full pay — $225,206 — rather than dismiss him.

The statement was signed by Director-General Linda Dobe and Local Government Minister Ann Leahy on November 21, the day they announced that Mr Thompson would be immediately suspended.

It revealed there may be a financial impact on Townsville ratepayers as Deputy Mayor Paul Jacob stepped up into the role of acting mayor.

“The acting mayor would potentially receive increased remuneration of approximately $72,061 (based on the mayor’s remuneration of $225,206 and deputy mayor’s remuneration of $153, 145),” the statement read. “Councillor Thompson would also continue to receive his full pay during the term of the suspension.”

Local Government Minister Ann Leahy at Townsville City Council. Picture: Evan Morgan

The impact statement also explained why Minister Leahy recommended Mr Thompson be suspended on full pay.

“Section 122 of the LGA provides that the Minister may either suspend or dismiss a councillor if the Minister reasonably believes it is ‘otherwise in the public interest’ that a councillor be suspended or dismissed. Therefore, one option was to dismiss Councillor Thompson,” it read.

“However, suspending Councillor Thompson was deemed the more proportionate option, as it would enable relevant integrity agencies to finalise their investigations of allegations made against Councillor Thompson, prior to any definitive action being taken against him.

“Another option was to suspend Councillor Thompson for a shorter period. However, 12 months was deemed an appropriate suspension period, as it would enable integrity agencies to complete their investigations.”

Mr Thompson is still under investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission over allegations he misled the public on his military, business and university qualifications, as well as a number of donations to his election campaign by property developers.

The CCC is also investigating an email sent by Mr Thompson to his councillors where he made a list of demands, threatening to ask the local government minister to dissolve council if they did not comply with his orders.

The impact statement signed by Ms Leahy stated the suspension with pay was the “least restrictive way” to address the impacts identified.

“In terms of positive impacts, suspending the mayor from his role will uphold the public interest, in accordance with the Minister’s consideration that it is in the public interest to suspend Councillor Thompson,” it read.

Originally published as Troy Thompson’s paid suspension to cost ratepayers an extra $72,000 as Qld Treasury documents outline decision