A controversial former One Nation candidate who has won the backing of conspiracy theorists and is banned from stepping foot in Queensland parliament is likely to become the next mayor of Townsville.
Troy Thompson – previously known as Troy Joseph Birnbrauer – has received support from the conspiracy theory group, My Place Townsville (MPT), which he has thanked for supporting him during his campaign.
Members of the group claimed to have volunteered for his campaign, staffing polling booths and scrutinising the final vote count.
As of Monday afternoon, Thompson was leading the mayoral race, securing 46.77% of preliminary votes, ahead of the current mayor, Jenny Hill, with 43.53%.
The campaign was Thompson’s second in the past four years, after being named One Nation’s candidate for the marginal state seat of Thuringowa in 2020.
Two months out from the 2020 election, Thompson claimed he had withdrawn from the race for “personal reasons”, but it was later revealed he was disendorsed by the party over failing to disclose his legal name and directorship in a company that went insolvent.
In a social media post, Thompson said he changed his name to Birnbrauer after he married a German woman in 1996 and took her surname “as she was last in her [family] line”.
Guardian Australia has seen a letter dated 21 September 2020 from One Nation revoking his candidacy “effective immediately”.
The letter said Thompson had failed to disclose a previous name he was known by, did not reveal his role as director of iPRO Solutions before it was placed in the hands of administrators and did not tell the party about an insolvency report.
Thuringowa MP, Aaron Harper, tabled the letter in parliament last week and urged Thompson to “come clean” on his disendorsement from the party and his ban from Queensland parliament.
“Come clean. If you are going to run for a seat, you need to be honest with people,” the Labor MP told parliament.
Thompson was banned from the Queensland parliament precinct by the Speaker in 2021 after he uploaded a photo in 2020 of his campaign leaflet being held above a sign reading “Member for Thuringowa” on Harper’s office door.
Thompson had been visiting parliament as a guest of the One Nation MP Stephen Andrew at the time. The ban remains to this day.
Responding to Harper on social media, Thompson said he had apologised to the MP for the incident in parliament. He also said he had spoken verbally with One Nation and in writing “before we all agreed on revoking my candidacy”.
In another social media post, Thompson reiterated his claim he withdrew from One Nation and was not disendorsed “as they continue to try to say”.
He also referred to questions asked by a journalist about a domestic violence-related matter but said the “DV issue” was resolved.
“There was never violence … So, I have lived … I have learned a lot, I have made mistakes, I will not continue the conversations about personal matters with media, simply put, it’s none of their business.”
Guardian Australia understands Thompson faced a charge but was not convicted, and it did not involve physical violence. He appeared at Southport magistrates court in 2017 and 2018 in relation to the charge. Thompson described the incident as “low level” and said he maintained a friendship with the other person.
In February, Thompson posted on social media thanking MPT for allowing him to present at a meeting and shared a link to their website.
MPT is one of many regional groups under the umbrella of the controversial My Place Australia. The MPT website discusses fluoride “poisoning” people, the “health effects and risks of 5G”, “unlawful and unconstitutional legislation, policies, and fines” and references the chemtrail conspiracy theory.
“Community is my passion, and it was undoubtedly motivating to be able to speak with such a range of likeminded individuals who want to see change,” he wrote while thanking the group.
“I truly appreciate your support in my campaign, as I am unable to do this alone.”
Guardian Australia has seen messages on an encrypted app where an MPT member announced the group was “keen” to “support” Thompson and other independent candidates who had attended their meetings.
“In this election, we need to mobilise all our resources to help these independents get into council,” they wrote.
“With the right independents in council we have a chance to address … fluoride, 5G, cashless initiatives, smart city plans, WHO/WEF/UN control.”
The member then laid out a “coordinated approach”, asking for volunteers to attend polling booths, stand with signs, hand out how-to-vote cards, do letter box drops and act as scrutineers to oversee the vote count.
“If you can help in any way please reply to this email address or you can put your name onto the list at our weekly meetings,” they wrote.
In other posts, MPT members talk about observing the vote counting at polling booths and organising spots to be filled in a pre-poll volunteer roster.
Thompson has also been interviewed by the North Queensland Freedom Network and asked about his thoughts on fluoride being added to Townsville’s water supply.
Adding a small amount of fluoride to water is considered a safe and effective way to reduce dental decay but Queensland is the only state which has left the decision up to individual local governments.
Townsville is one of just 26 of 77 councils in the state that has fluoride in the water. Thompson told the interviewer that water quality in the city was an issue.
“There’s the quality of water, which is fluoride. How many times you taste the water and one week it’s good, next week it’s not? One week it’s this colour, the next week it’s not.” Thompson said.
“My view on it is … it’s too chlorinated. It’s just simply too chlorinated.”
The interviewer then told Thompson: “I can’t help but feel that forced fluoridation is in breach of the constitution.”
Thompson replied: “Yes it is … when you’re tweaking the water levels and the quality of water then you’ve got to take some ownership and responsibility … and our local government isn’t taking the liability seriously.”
Guardian Australia has contacted Thompson for comment.
• In Australia, the national family violence counselling service is on 1800 737 732. In the UK, call the national domestic abuse helpline on 0808 2000 247, or visit Women’s Aid. In the US, the domestic violence hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Other international helplines may be found via www.befrienders.org.
