Veteran advocacy groups have slammed the mayor of Australia's largest garrison city for making 'deeply disrespectful' false claims about his military history.
After admitting to inflating his military service history, Townsville mayor Troy Thompson has been slammed by veterans.RSL Queensland state secretary Iain Carty is calling on Cr Thompson to "do the right thing by veterans".
Special Air Service Association chair Martin Hamilton-Smith said his organisation investigated Cr Thompson's service history and found his purported links to the SAS did not stack up."When people make these things up, and they're not true, I think they're trying to hang on to the coat-tails of people who have joined the Australian Defence Force — or in this case, special forces — and been through the mill and proved themselves," Mr Hamilton-Smith said.
In a statement, the board of the Townsville RSL sub-branch said "misleading claims of military service for recognition, benefit, or advantage is unacceptable and seriously undermines genuine veterans and their sacrifice".
Mayor Townsville Mayor Military Service Controversy Disrespect Defence Force Army Military Local Council Resignation Calls Calls To Step Down False Claims Disinformation Misinformation Local Government Elections Mayor Election CCC Corruption Investigation Air Force Veteran Military History Military Service Leadership Local Leader Special Forces Armed Forces Townsville RSL Returned And Services League Misleading Political Claims
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Troy Thompson refuses to resign as Townsville mayor over false military service claimsTownsville’s 10 councillors join Queensland premier in calling for mayor to stand down after revelations he exaggerated his military history
Read more »
Queensland premier says Troy Thompson should resign as Townsville mayor after false military service claimsPressure grows on former One Nation candidate to stand down after revelations he exaggerated his military history
Read more »
Queensland premier says Townsville mayor Troy Thompson should stand down after misleading votersQueensland premier Steven Miles says Troy Thompson should stand down after he apologised for misleading voters about his time in the army.
Read more »
Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson admits to falsely declaring details of military service and university degreesThe mayor has apologised to veterans and the Australian Defence Force, saying he wasn't able to recall details of his service history due to medical reasons.
Read more »
Townsville mayor Troy Thompson’s military service claims under investigation by powerful corruption watchdogNew mayor’s claims about his army history referred to Crime and Corruption Commission by local government body
Read more »
Watchdog refers army history of Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson to Crime and Corruption CommissionQueensland's Office of the Independent Assessor has referred the mayor's stated army history to the Crime and Corruption Commission after the details were challenged by a newspaper on Anzac Day. He has since provided his service number.
Read more »