Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto demands media apology over public nuisance fine

A north Queensland mayor fined for public nuisance at a licensed premises has addressed the infringement by telling the media to apologise.

On Thursday, police issued Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto a $1,036 notice for disorderly behaviour after an investigation into an alleged altercation with an LNP staffer at a bar on Magnetic Island in June.

When asked if he would make a public apology on Friday, Cr Dametto said it was the media that needed to apologise.

"I don't know what you want me to apologise for," he said.

"The message of apology should probably be coming from the media right now."

The alleged altercation was with a 28-year-old staffer of LNP member for Townsville Adam Baillie and occurred during a pub crawl facilitated by a local tourism operator.

The police finalised their investigation this week and no charges were laid.

Cr Dametto said media reporting on the incident had been inaccurate and he singled out News Corp publication The Townsville Bulletin and Seven News.

"There was no bar brawl. If the Townsville Bulletin is here, there was no fight," he said.

"There was no punch thrown in any situation. An investigation has found that no assault has taken place."

Seven News incorrectly reported on Thursday that a charge had been laid, which Cr Dametto called "a false statement".

"I don't feel like this incident or this scenario that played out has been portrayed truthfully and factually in the media," he said.

When asked if a mayor should make public nuisance infringements, Cr Dametto said anyone issued with a fine "needs to have a look at the fine" and "make a decision after that what they do with it".

Cr Dametto also said he had not received the notice and that he first heard about it via the media on Thursday.

He said he would decide whether to contest or pay the fine once he spoke with his lawyer.

"Once the fine arrives … I'll be able to peruse the fine myself for the very first time," he said.

Cr Dametto said the only conversation he had with police was "a couple of weeks ago" when he was told police were investigating.

Member for Townsville Adam Baillie, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, was also asked about the infringement on Friday.

"The mayor's conduct is a matter for the mayor to address," he said.

"My focus has always been on the welfare of my staff."

Mr Baillie said he was able to work effectively with Cr Dametto.

"I work with whoever I need to work with across all levels of government," he said.

The Office of the Independent Assessor (OIA) said it would not comment on whether it was investigating the matter.

"If the matter becomes publicly known, the OIA may still not provide information if there is a risk of prejudicing operational activities," a spokesperson for the OIA said.