The Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) has released its investigative report on former Townsville Mayor, Troy Thompson, finding that he lied about his military service, tertiary qualifications and cancer diagnosis.
Following his election as Mayor in March 2024, the CCC said it received 32 discrete complaints relating to Mr Thompson, who was also formerly known as Troy Birnbrauer.
While Mr Thompson widely claimed in his pre-election campaign that he had served five years in the Australian Army as a Signalman, the CCC investigation revealed he had in fact only served two years as a reservist after completing a two-week basic training course and a basic cook’s course.
“Contrary to assertions made by Mr Thompson during the course of his election campaign, the evidence obtained by the CCC revealed he was only enlisted with the Australian Army for a period of two and a half years, was solely a reservist, had never served with the 105 or 152 signals as claimed, and was never a member of the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS) of the Australian Army,” the CCC report states.
The Commission also found no evidence to back Mr Thompson’s claims he had been diagnosed and received treatment for oesophageal cancer and was given an “end date”.
Investigators instead found evidence that Mr Thompson was diagnosed and treated for one form of cancer, a squamous cell carcinoma (not melanoma).
“Mr Thompson’s medical records, including Medicare and pharmaceutical benefits records/claims, were analysed by investigators throughout the course of the investigation. A comprehensive review of these records has failed to identify any recent medical history of Mr Thompson being diagnosed or treated for oesophageal cancer,” the report states.
The investigation also found that Mr Thompson does not hold any tertiary academic qualifications “beyond some technical certificates”.
At a pre-election Magnetic Island Residents and Ratepayers Association meeting, Mr Thompson stated: “I studied business, I studied law, and I also studied occupational health management”.
Evidence obtained by the CCC from Griffith University confirmed Mr Thompson has not completed or been awarded a Bachelor of Commence. Instead, the Commission found that Mr Thompson was enrolled at Griffith University in a Bachelor of Commerce degree for one semester in 2006, passing two of the four subjects in which he was enrolled, before dropping out.
Further evidence obtained from Curtin University confirmed Mr Thompson did not attend or graduate from Curtin University with a Bachelor of Science (Occupational Safety and Health Technology/Technician).
The Commission also examined a complaint that Mr Thompson was providing confidential information, and other material obtained during his official duties as Mayor, to several people outside the organisation.
“The CCC undertook an investigation into the allegations including interviewing or obtaining statements from relevant witnesses and the execution of several search warrants on the premises of Mr Thompson and others suspected of receiving information,” the report states.
The investigation of this allegation resulted in the seizure of 21 electronic devices from numerous parties, containing almost 7 million electronic records, including 8,741 WhatsApp encrypted messages exchanged between Mr Thompson and an informal ‘advisor’. In addition, the CCC seized 750 pages of hardcopy materials from Mr Thompson and the advisor.
“The investigation identified the identity of the advisor, who has no official role with the TCC. This person was not employed by the TCC at the time of the alleged conduct and was not authorised by any person in authority within the TCC, other than Mr Thompson, to receive any confidential information,” the report states.
It found that in the period between 19 July and 1 October 2024, Mr Thompson paid the advisor sums of monies on at least 23 occasions, totalling at least $5,300.
The CCC investigation verified WhatsApp accounts belonging to Mr Thompson and the advisor. It says the evidence demonstrated that Mr Thompson disclosed confidential/commercially sensitive information to the advisor, including but not limited to, the following documents:
- an incoming councillor brief issued to Mr Thompson
- the TCC draft Capital Plan
- the TCC Summary of Budget Exclusions
- the TCC Project Briefing Paper regarding the Haughton Pipeline
- an Executive/Mayoral briefing note containing information on TCC’s capital facility
- a confidential modelling document for paid parking
- documents relating to the recruitment of the interim Chief Executive Officer including contract documents, and
- documents relating to the recruitment for the permanent role of the Chief Executive Officer.
“While the current system regulates the appointment and provision of advisors to councillors, the current regulatory framework fails to adequately address the significant corruption risks associated with the engagement of advisors by councillors who are independent of and unknown to Council,” the report states.
“…These risks are further heightened when the relationship is conducted in a clandestine manner, the financial arrangements are ambiguous and the council is unaware of the existence of the advisor and unable to regulate or control any potential conflicts of interest that may arise, particularly in the provision of information to the advisor which can potentially be used for personal gain or advantage.”
While its investigation into Mr Thompson did not result in any criminal charges being laid, the Commission did make a number of recommendations regarding voter misinformation.
It said the investigation highlighted important issues, including the need for stronger systems and processes to ensure truthful conduct by electoral candidates. It recommended that the Queensland Government undertake a detailed review of the relevant electoral and local government legislation to identify areas for reform arising from the matters set out in the report.
“The report recommends legislative reform to improve verification of candidates statements [and] strengthen enforcement of offences such as misleading voters.”
It went on to state, “There is very clear potential for misinformation or disinformation put forward by candidates in an election to have a significant bearing on the community’s assessment of their personal characteristics and their suitability for the role being sought.
“Despite this, there is presently no legislative or other framework requiring candidates to provide certified copies of supporting documents or sworn statements certifying the accuracy of claims made during an election.”
Mr Thompson resigned as Mayor in September, almost a year after being suspended.
