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Embattled Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson has hit back at Queensland Premier Steven Miles's decision to seek legal advice to remove him from office.
Cr Thompson has been under investigation by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission (QCCC) since May for allegedly misleading the public over his military and education history.
The premier's office said the government sought legal advice on Thursday regarding the position of the North Queensland mayor.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the premier said Queensland leaders were held to a high standard and should meet community expectations while in office.
Cr Thompson, who was elected in March in an upset win with 46 per cent of the mayoral vote, said he had done nothing wrong.
"The Queensland premier is in disaster management at the moment, everybody knows that — it's political grandstanding," Cr Thompson said.
"I personally believe Steven Miles has come to the end of his run, he's in the exit lounge, and he's just trying to make a final statement."
Troy Thompson says the premier is engaging in "political grandstanding". (ABC News: Cameron Simmons)
Townsville councillors voted unanimously in favour of a motion of no confidence in Cr Thompson in June, saying he had lost the confidence of the community.
They also called for the Queensland Local Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon to suspend him.
Last month, Ms Scanlon announced an advisor to assist the council.
'Political interference', mayor says
During his election campaign, Cr Thompson claimed he served with three squadrons including the SAS, and vaguely repeated those claims on Anzac Day, but later admitted to spending just two years in the military as a reservist, largely as a cook.
He also acknowledged he did not complete the two university degrees he claimed to have.
Cr Thompson said the premier's actions would not drive him to step down.
"Innocent until proven guilty comes to my mind," he said.
"This is just political interference.
"Why should I [step down]?"
Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has said Cr Thompson's position was untenable and said an LNP government would review the Local Government Act if elected.
Hoping for 'wake-up call'
Townsville-based Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals Scott Stewart denied the sudden move to seek legal advice was political grandstanding ahead of the state election.
"We were hoping that by announcing there would be an advisor to come in and help the mayor that might have been a bit of a wake-up call," Mr Stewart said.
"But we are still seeing these same behaviours, these same attacks through social media."
Mr Stewart said the QCCC investigation into the mayor's military history and education claims was taking "longer than anyone expected".
"We need to do whatever we can do to stabilise local government here," he said.
The minister would not speculate on how long the legal advice sought may take or what kind of action the government may take.
He also refuted suggestions by the mayor that threats of government intervention set a dangerous precedent for Queensland mayors and councillors.
"We just want him do his job — guide and direct and work with your councillors to drive this city, it's that simple," Mr Stewart said.