After repeatedly resisting calls to stand down, Townsville’s mayor Troy Thompson has been suspended as a corruption investigation continues into whether he misled voters about his military record.
For the past six months, Thompson has been embroiled in a Crime and Corruption Commission probe into whether he embellished his credentials in the lead up to the Queensland election.
During the campaign, Thompson said he had served with the SAS. Thompson later admitted exaggerating his military credentials and was found to be a former army reservist.
Thompson also allegedly inflated business and academic qualifications.
Dismissing the months-long CCC inquiry as a “political hit job”, Thompson had initially resisted calls for him to relinquish his mayoral duties, despite a public outcry.
However, local government minister Ann Leahy announced Thursday that Thompson had been suspended for 12 months on full pay.
Describing Thompson’s tenure as “untenable”, Leahy said: “The people of Townsville have spoken loud and clear and we have listened and we have acted.” She thanked Thompson for “recognising this situation”.
In response, Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive officer Alison Smith said: “We thank the minister for the transparent way she has approached this issue. The LGAQ maintains its view that the provisions under the Local Government Act that allow for suspension or dismissal of a mayor, councillor or council ‘in the public interest’ are extraordinary provisions.”
Smith added: “We call on the new state government to review these provisions, as was initially promised by the former government when these powers were first introduced in 2018.”
Thompson will officially stand down as mayor on Friday. While Thompson won’t be performing any official duties during the 12-month suspension period, he will continue to receive a $200,000-plus salary.
Townsville’s deputy mayor Paul Jacobs will be sworn in as acting mayor.
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