The 2025 Townsville mayoral by-election was held on 15 November 2025 to elect the mayor of Townsville in Queensland, following the resignation of incumbent mayor Troy Thompson. Thompson, who was suspended from the mayoralty by the Queensland Government in November 2024, recontested the position at the by-election.
Nick Dametto won the by-election with 62.7% of primary votes.
Background 2024 election results
Electoral system At the request of Townsville City Council, the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) conducted the by-election via post.
Candidates Candidates are listed in the order they appeared on the ballot. PartyCandidateBackground Sean Gleeson Former detention centre worker Troy Thompson Mayor of Townsville from 2024 until 2025 Harry Patel Candidate for mayor in 2012, 2016 and 2024 Nick Dametto Former member for Hinchinbrook in the Queensland Legislative Assembly Chris Poulsen Former Queensland Nickel worker Ann-Maree Greaney Acting mayor since 2024 Paul Jacob Councillor for Division 1 since 2024 Joanne Keune Founder of SpeakEze Communication Coaching David Kippin Former CEO of Townsville Enterprise
Nick Dametto, who has served as the member for Hinchinbrook in the Queensland Legislative Assembly since 2017, announced on the same day as Thompson's resignation that he would contest the mayoral by-election. Under Queensland law, candidates running for local government positions cannot be a member of a state or federal parliament. Dametto resigned from the Katter's Australian Party (KAP) to contest as an independent, although the KAP endorsed his candidacy.
Ann-Maree Greaney, the councillor for Division 3 since 2016 and the acting mayor since Thompson's suspension in 2024, contested. Former Mundingburra MP Les Walker considered contesting, but ultimately chose not to run.
No political party endorsed candidates at the 2024 mayoral election. The Labor Party (ALP) has not made endorsements for Townsville local elections since 2008, although Labor members Paul Jacob and Joanne Keune contested the by-election without the party's endorsement. David Cassells, the secretary of the ALP's Herbert Federal Organising Committee, supported voting for either Jacob or Keune, as well as putting Thompson last and Dametto second last.
Campaign On 27 October 2025, the Townsville Bulletin reported that Sean Gleeson had previously replied to a Reddit post in the "r/Rape_Hentai" subreddit. The following day, he withdrew from the by-election citing "mental health reasons".
During the final week of campaigning, Joanne Keune recruited a lost international tourist to hold her campaign signage in exchange for a ride back to his cruise ship. Keune was subsequently criticised by several other mayoral candidates.
Debates and forums P Participant W Withdrew
List of debates and forums Date Host Participants 28 Oct 2025 Townsville Bulletin W P P P P P P P P
Results
See also 2025 Hinchinbrook state by-election
References
External links Electoral Commission of Queensland