Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson hit with show cause notice from Queensland premier

Queensland’s premier has issued a show cause notice to Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson in a bid to oust him from the position.

Steven Miles met cabinet last night to discuss legal advice surrounding the mayor continuing in the role.

Councilor Thompson has been under investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission since May for misleading voters about his military, business and education credentials.

The move comes on the day the state election is being called and the government goes into caretaker mode.

A statement from the premier’s office said the mayor had three weeks to respond.

“I’ve consistently said that if Mr Thompson cares about Townsville in the way he claims to, the best thing for Townsville would be for him to stand down,” Mr Miles said.

“He had refused to do so and it is clear to me the situation in Townsville is getting worse, not better.”

The letter sent to Cr Thompson outlines the government’s view that it is in the public interest to suspend him from office for 12 months.

It claims Cr Thompson has hampered the Townsville City Council from performing its responsibilities to local residents efficiently and effectively and has unreasonably diverted council resources.

The government has also accused Cr Thompson of risking the welfare of council staff and damaging confidence in local government.

The mayor has repeatedly resisted calls to stand down.

He took a month of leave in June after all Townsville councilors moved a motion of no confidence against him but later returned to mayoral duties.

On Sunday, Cr Thompson described efforts to oust him from office as an affront to Townsville residents’ democratic rights.

He has threatened to seek a Supreme Court injunction to prevent his removal.