CCC investigation reveals former Townsville mayor Troy Thompson lied about SAS service, university degrees and cancer diagnosis

A Corruption and Crime Commission investigation found former Townsville mayor Troy Thompson lied about serving in the SAS, holding tertiary qualifications and overcoming cancer. The investigation was sparked by dozens of complaints about Mr Thompson’s conduct as the Townsville mayor following his election in March last year and false representations he made during his election campaign. The CCC found videos posted to social media during his campaign along with several media interviews that contained personal descriptions of him being a soldier and cancer survivor. Mr Thompson asserted he served in the Australian Army as a signalman in the SAS, held business and science degrees from various universities and survived oesophageal cancer. But evidence obtained during the investigation from the Australian Army found Mr Thompson was enlisted as a Reservist from 1991 to 1993, and that he never served in the SAS. “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,” the report stated. “He was never a member of the SAS of the Australian Army.” The investigation also uncovered Mr Thompson was never awarded tertiary qualifications and that he never completed degrees he claimed to hold. “The investigation concluded Mr Thompson does not hold any tertiary academic qualifications beyond some technical certificates,” the report said. Medical reports obtained by the CCC had no records of Mr Thompson having a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer or treatment. Records showed Mr Thompson self-reported having several “melanomas” removed, but did not have any melanomas diagnosed or treated between April 2019 and November 2024. The CCC report said he was diagnosed and treated for a type of skin cancer – not melanoma – and was confirmed to have had malignant skin lesions removed, including one on his chin, in 2020. “Mr Thompson did not publicly rescind his claims that he has survived a diagnosis of cancer,” the report said. The CCC reported their findings to the Department of Public Prosecution for consideration to commence corruption proceedings earlier this year. The report stated Mr Thompson denied any kind of misconduct or criminal offence and declined to provide a response during the investigation. No criminal charges have been laid as a result of the investigation.