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Queensland Watchdog Finds Ex-Townsville Mayor Lied About Service, Degrees and Cancer, Leaked Council Secrets

The CCC’s final report refers allegations to prosecutors, urging tougher vetting of candidates.

Overview

  • Investigators concluded Troy Thompson served only about two and a half years in the Army Reserve, with no SAS involvement or service in the 105 or 152 Signals units as claimed.
  • The report found he held no university degrees and that medical records showed no diagnosis or treatment for oesophageal cancer, noting only the removal of malignant skin lesions in 2020.
  • As mayor he shared confidential council material with an outside adviser who held no official role, sending 8,741 encrypted WhatsApp messages in five months and paying the adviser at least $5,300.
  • The CCC referred alleged false-election statements and leaking of confidential information to the Queensland DPP and recommended reforms requiring candidate declarations of qualifications and employment history with penalties for falsehoods.
  • Thompson resigned in September and lost the November by-election to Nick Dametto, denies wrongdoing, and no criminal charges have been laid to date while the state government says it will pursue legislative changes.