Controversial Townsville mayor Troy Thompson suspended for 12 months
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Version 0 of 1. Thompson refutes ‘any and all allegations that have been made’ against him after government announced action Townsville’s controversial mayor has been suspended from the role for a year on full pay, but has vowed to return to the job after clearing his name. Queensland’s local government minister, Ann Leahy, announced the decision on Thursday, saying his position had become “untenable”. “During his suspension Mr Thompson cannot perform any of the duties of a councillor or mayor,” Leahy said. Thompson was elected mayor in March but was soon accused of exaggerating his military history. The other members of Townsville council have also held a no-confidence vote in him and the Labor and Liberal National party leaders urged him to stand aside. Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Thompson will continue to receive his salary of $225,206 while suspended. At a press conference on Friday, Leahy said there had been a “sense of relief” among councillors about the resolution. “There probably aren’t a lot of precedents for this,” she said, adding that Thompson was now effectively a private citizen, without access to council resources. But the deputy opposition leader, Cameron Dick, said the elected mayor was “laughing all the way to the bank”. “David Crisafulli has just given Troy Thompson a fully paid, fully funded, all expenses paid holiday for a year on [Townsville] rate payers’ dime,” he said. Dick said it was “embarrassing for Townsville – and the people of Townsville deserve better than this”. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Thompson was referred to the state’s Crime and Corruption Commission in May. The then premier, Steven Miles, issued him a show cause notice on the final day before the official election campaign in September. In a message posted on Facebook on Friday, Thompson confirmed his suspension but said he would “continue to be a community contributor, as I have always done”. Thompson refuted “any and all allegations that have been made to date, and will rightfully defend my position through the legal system”. He said he would return to the role of mayor once “cleared of all allegations”, at the end of the 12-month suspension. “As disappointed as I am, this has set a precedent for councillors across Queensland, that the state government may suspend a democratically elected member without a proper judicial process taking place,” he said. Townsville’s deputy mayor, Paul Jacob, is likely to serve as the acting mayor. Leahy said the result was a win for the residents of Townsville. “The premier made it clear Mr Thompson’s position was untenable and I want to thank Mr Thompson for recognising this situation,” she said. “I will meet with Townsville city council tomorrow following this decision, as we continue working together in a strong partnership on behalf of the people of Townsville.” |