Former Mayor's Web of Deception Unravelled by Corruption Watchdog
The Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) has delivered a damning report revealing that former Townsville mayor Troy Thompson systematically misled voters about his personal history and engaged in questionable conduct during his time in office.
According to the investigation tabled in Queensland's parliament, Thompson fabricated claims about battling oesophageal cancer, exaggerated his military service record, and falsely asserted he held university qualifications during his election campaign.
Confidential Documents and Secret Adviser
The CCC uncovered that during his mayoral tenure, Thompson leaked numerous confidential council documents to an unnamed adviser who had no formal role within Townsville City Council. The corruption body revealed that Thompson sent this individual 8,741 encrypted WhatsApp messages over just five months.
This secret adviser received at least $5,300 for providing political and policy advice, with the CCC warning that Thompson's "clandestine manner" of appointment posed a significant corruption risk. The report noted Thompson was fully aware of his confidentiality obligations and actively discussed methods to keep their relationship concealed from public scrutiny.
Critically, none of these messages were preserved by the council as required under the Public Records Act, raising further concerns about transparency and accountability.
Fabricated Military and Medical History
The investigation detailed how Thompson falsely claimed to have served as a signalman alongside the SAS during the election campaign, significantly exaggerating both the nature and duration of his army reserve service.
When confronted by A Current Affair about inconsistencies in his military claims, Thompson blamed "100-plus concussions and epilepsy" for forgetting details. However, the CCC obtained his medical records and found no evidence of specialist epilepsy treatment, though a GP had prescribed anti-seizure medication between November 2023 and October 2024.
More disturbingly, Thompson presented himself as a "cancer survivor" during the campaign, claiming doctors told him to "get your affairs in order" in 2021 due to oesophageal cancer. The CCC's examination of medical records found no diagnosis or treatment for oesophageal cancer, instead indicating post-gastric sleeve complications that might account for stomach-related comments.
The report noted that a witness recalled Thompson making similar cancer claims on Facebook in 2019, with a relative commenting to correct him and urging him to "stop telling people he had cancer." While Thompson reported having melanomas removed, medical records showed he had malignant skin lesions removed in 2020 but had no melanomas diagnosed or treated.
False Qualifications and Political Fallout
Thompson's deception extended to his educational background, where he claimed to have "put myself through university" and obtained a business degree. His election materials specifically asserted he held bachelor degrees in commerce and science.
The CCC investigation revealed this was entirely false. Records showed Thompson was enrolled in a bachelor of commerce degree for only one semester in 2006, passing just two of four subjects, and ultimately held no university qualifications.
Thompson stood down as mayor in September after facing 18 months of mounting pressure for his resignation. Critics accused him of stepping aside preemptively to avoid being dismissed by the minister, which would have allowed him to recontest the position in a byelection. In a dramatic move, he also called on the local government minister to dismiss the entire council.
His political career suffered a decisive blow when he was easily defeated in the November election that followed his resignation.
The CCC has referred allegations about Thompson's false election claims and document leaks to the Queensland Department of Public Prosecutions for potential criminal proceedings. Thompson's lawyers stated he "denies committing any kind of misconduct or criminal offence" and declined to provide a formal response due to the prospect of future legal action.
In response to the case, the corruption watchdog has recommended implementing a mechanism requiring election candidates to formally declare their qualifications and employment history, with sanctions for providing false information.
