Mayoral candidate Joanne Keune offers details on Troy Thompson debate controversy
Townsville mayoral hopeful Joanne Keune has offered an explanation about an awkward debate exchange, revealing why she backed away from supporting the former mayor.
After being put on the spot by Troy Thompson and avoiding directly answering a question during the Townsville Bulletin’s recent mayoral candidate debate, Joanne Keune has addressed the awkward situation – admitting she didn’t handle it very well.
Mr Thompson said he was approached by Ms Keune at the candidate ballot draw where she told him “look Troy, I must apologise for the way you’ve been treated”.
He also quoted an email to him from someone “very close” to Ms Keune’s campaign.
“Remember Joanne offered her legal skills to help you because she believed firmly you had a good cause for wrongful dismissal, might be interesting to mention in the debate seeing as she’s running against you and deliberately advocating against you,” Mr Thompson said.
A qualified lawyer, Ms Keune explained that she didn’t want to admit during the debate that she voted for Mr Thompson.
She did confirm offering support to him through a mutual friend during the early days of his tenure, around the time he was locked out of the council’s building.
“I felt that was fair and just and because that’s the woman I am … he deserved a chance,” she said.
“But let’s face it, within a couple of weeks, once I realised that he was a liar, I had no further support for him whatsoever.
“When Anzac Day occurred, that’s when I started to do my research because there is no way that we can allow any person to be let off on lying or cheating.”
Mr Thompson has disputed Mr Keune’s timeline of events saying it wasn’t accurate.
“She actually offered legal assistance and expressed support well after Anzac Day, not before,” Mr Thompson said.
“It’s important this distinction is made clear, as it changes the entire context of her remarks.”
Having put in 60hr weeks for two years to earn her masters degree, Ms Keune was upset that someone would claim to have degrees when they didn’t.
“He right now actually stands the chance of a seven year jail sentence for it, so he’s on tenterhooks now,” she said.
Mr Thompson has denied any wrongdoing.
The outcome of the Crime and Corruption Commission’s completed investigation into Troy Thompson is yet to be released publicly, despite many of Townsville’s residents receiving their postal ballots and mailing off votes ahead of election day on November 15.
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Originally published as Mayoral candidate Joanne Keune offers details on Troy Thompson debate controversy
