Queensland’s local government department is appointing an advisor to assist the embedded Townsville City Council.

The mayor of the garrison city, Troy Thompson, is being investigated by Queensland’s Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) over a number of matters, including his military history.

He continues to act in the role despite his fellow councilors unanimously demanding his resignation in June.

Queensland Local Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon announced on Thursday that the director-general of her department would appoint an advisor to assist the Townsville City Council.

“We’re all adults — I expect mayors and councilors to act in the interests of what they are elected to do,” Ms Scanlon said.

The Council must comply

The Local Government Act 2009 states that the chief executive can appoint an advisor if they believe a local government is not fulfilling its responsibilities properly, not complying with legislation, or if appointing an advisor is in the public interest.

The act states that an advisor is responsible for helping the local government fulfill its responsibilities and comply with laws.

The local government must fully comply with the advisor.

Ms Scanlon would not directly comment on whether she had considered exercising her powers to dissolve the council.

“A number of matters have been referred to the CCC — that is the appropriate body to investigate,” she said.

“I’ll await for potential investigation or finding until I determine whether there is any additional steps I need to take.”

The government-appointed advisor is unrelated to the mayoral advisor role Cr Thompson unsuccessfully sought to fill at a council meeting last week.

The Queensland government’s action follows statement made by Cr Thompson against the council’s acting chief executive.

Allegations of leaking

On Wednesday Cr Thompson accused Joe McCabe of leaking information and asked that he resign.

The mayor said he filed a complaint with the Office of the Independent Assessor.

Mr McCabe said he would not resign and reject the mayor’s claim he had leaked confidential information.

“For the past almost four months as acting CEO I have worked constructively and diligently with the council and staff for the good of this beautiful city,” Mr McCabe said.

Mayor responds

In a statement, Cr Thompson welcomed the announcement and said he had requested the statutory advisory.

He said he had expressed his concerns about councilors and staff to the Department of Local Government’s deputy director-general at a meeting last month.

“We have a situation where the councilors blame me for everything,” he said.

“At the same time, all I want to do is work with them for the betterment of the city and under this circumstance, it is appropriate that we now have a statutory advisor to assist councilors in complying with the laws.

“It is very clear that after the councilors all refused to agree to work with me for the benefit of the residents, they now need to have someone holding their hand to do that.”