Questions over job for sacked TEL staffer

Mr Mcmillan began working at Townsville Enterprise in September 2016 amid the collapse of a business venture in Rockhampton.

It can be revealed that Mr Mcmillan’s Coffee Club franchise in Rockhampton went into involuntary administration in early 2017 due to unpaid taxes.

Mr Mcmillan could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

Townsville Enterprise chief executive Patricia O’callaghan said the organisation’s board had been made aware of Mr Mcmillan’s previous business dealings but determined this was “separate to his role” and capabilities required for the role.

“Under the constitution, there was no obligation to terminate Michael from his role as he is not a board director, he is management,” she said.

“We acknowledged the difficulties of running a small business and instead the board and I chose to support Michael in delivering his role at Townsville Enterprise.”

Under Townsville Enterprise’s constitution a board director of the organisation must be sacked immediately if they become bankrupt or make any “general arrangement or composition with his or her creditors”. Mr Mcmillan previously told the Townsville Bulletin he was working with TEL through the recent issue and had sought his own legal advice.

Ms O’callaghan said TEL went to market for the role in 2015 and Mr Mcmillan was appointed in September 2016.

“Michael was selected as the successful candidate due his extensive career in government, economic development, advocacy and policy roles,” she said. A month later Mr Mcmillan was appointed to Townsville City Council’s Innovation and Business Advisory Group as a Townsville Enterprise delegate, though the group is not currently active.

A council spokeswoman confirmed Mr Mcmillan