Tag: Stafford MP

Family And Friends Bid Farewell To Stafford MP Jimmy Sullivan

Family, friends, and community members gathered at a Kedron church to farewell Stafford MP Jimmy Sullivan, who was found dead at his unit on 9 April at the age of 44.

Read: Police Called to Kedron Residence of Stafford MP

The Little Flower Catholic Church in Kedron hosted the funeral service yesterday, 22 April. Students from the adjacent Padua College, where Mr Sullivan had attended school and served as school captain in his final year, lined the entrance to the church and helped guide mourners inside.

Family and friends

Jimmy Sullivan
Photo credit: Facebook/Jimmy Sullivan MP

Mr Sullivan’s brother Daniel described him as essentially three different people: an energetic and ambitious young man, a respected community leader, and a person who struggled with significant personal difficulties in his later years. Daniel said it would be wrong to gloss over that final version of his brother, acknowledging he had battled his demons and that those struggles were the reason the family was together that day, forty years too early. He said the family had been heartened by messages from the community thanking Mr Sullivan for his service.

His best friend Jacob remembered Mr Sullivan as great fun and a seasoned karaoke performer. Others who spoke at the service described him as diligent, trustworthy, empathetic and a confident advocate. Jacob added that while teenagers could often be an unkind bunch, Mr Sullivan had been the antidote.

Mr Sullivan’s mother Trish acknowledged that her son’s journey had not been an easy one and had become complicated in ways that were painful to those closest to him. She said she would remember him from his earlier years, full of potential, while also holding compassion for the struggles he faced later. She described him as someone who was, and remained, a person who mattered.

Mr Sullivan is survived by a daughter who will turn two this year.

Career and community service

Photo credit: Facebook/Jimmy Sullivan MP

Mr Sullivan was a local through and through, having grown up and attended school in the Stafford electorate. His father, Terry Sullivan, had represented the same seat in state parliament from 2001 to 2006.

Before entering parliament, Mr Sullivan worked as a lawyer and judge’s associate in Queensland’s District Court. He went on to work in policy and government roles across Brisbane, Canberra and Washington DC, including a stint in the office of Democratic senator Ron Wyden. He later served as chief of staff to former attorney-general Yvette D’Ath.

He was first elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in October 2020 as the Labor member for Stafford, and was appointed Assistant Minister for Justice and Veterans’ Affairs in December 2023 under then-premier Steven Miles.

He was re-elected in 2024, holding his seat despite a 5.5 per cent swing against him. He was placed on leave to attend to medical and legal issues before being disendorsed by Labor in May 2025. No charges were ever laid in relation to an alleged domestic incident that occurred after the election. He moved to the crossbench as an independent and continued to represent Stafford until his death.

In his first address to parliament as an independent, Mr Sullivan spoke openly about his mental health, telling MPs he had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder connected to the death of his first daughter. He said he had spiralled, recognised it, and sought healthcare.

By-election set for 16 May

Mr Sullivan’s death has triggered a by-election for the seat of Stafford, to be held on 16 May. Premier David Crisafulli confirmed that Governor Jeanette Young had issued the writs, formally launching the campaign. Mr Crisafulli said it was vital the community have representation ahead of the June state budget.

Read: Stafford MP Ousted Following Internal Review

The electorate, which takes in Brisbane’s northern suburbs including Stafford, Chermside, and Kedron, has been won by Labor in nine of the past ten elections. Neither major party had confirmed a candidate at the time of publication.

If this story has raised concerns for you or someone you know, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Published 23-April-2026

Stafford MP Ousted Following Internal Review

Photo Credit: Jimmy Sullivan/Facebook

An independent MP will now represent Stafford residents, after Jimmy Sullivan was expelled, following months of internal tension and allegations stemming from a reported domestic incident at his Kedron home.

Read: Stafford Bakery Draws Early Morning Crowds for Sausage Rolls With a Yum Cha Twist

The incident, which took place in late October 2024, led to police attending the residence. No charges were laid. In the months that followed, Sullivan took four months’ leave from office. He later returned under what was described as a “safe return-to-work plan,” which reportedly included conditions such as providing health updates and commitments around workplace conduct.

A Local MP Under Pressure

Mr Sullivan, who has represented Stafford since 2020, was formally removed from the Labor caucus during an extraordinary party meeting held on Monday, 12 May 2025. The vote, initiated by Opposition Leader Steven Miles and supported by Deputy Leader Cameron Dick, was passed unanimously, with only Mr Sullivan objecting.

According to party leaders, Mr Sullivan failed to follow through with conditions attached to his return from extended leave. These conditions, aimed at managing his personal and health circumstances, were said to include regular updates to party leadership—a requirement Mr Miles claims was not met. Mr Sullivan, however, has strongly denied these claims, saying he fulfilled every obligation and communicated consistently with the leadership team.

Later that evening, the party’s administrative committee confirmed Mr Sullivan’s full expulsion from Labor, removing his endorsement as a party member.

Mixed Reactions in Parliament

Mr Sullivan has described his removal as a politically motivated decision and said it was deeply hurtful. In a public statement, he reaffirmed his loyalty to Labor’s values, noting that he had dedicated his career to supporting the party at various levels, including as a campaign director and staffer.

He also said he would continue to represent his local branch members and constituents, despite being removed from the party. As of now, Mr Sullivan remains the elected MP for Stafford and will sit on the crossbench as an independent, unless he chooses to resign.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie called for Mr Sullivan to step down entirely from parliament, suggesting a by-election should be held to allow the people of Stafford to choose a new representative. He also questioned why Labor had not acted sooner, given the issues had been raised publicly weeks earlier.

Community Focus and Moving Forward

While the domestic incident at the centre of this controversy did not result in formal charges, the political fallout has left many Stafford residents watching closely. Community concerns around representation, transparency and political accountability are now at the forefront.

Read: Stafford Centre Sold as Brisbane Retail Market Hits $32.3M in Sales

Mr Sullivan has kept a low public profile since the October incident, and reports from multiple sources also pointed to concerns about his wellbeing and relationship with alcohol, though he has not publicly addressed those claims in detail.

Published 12-May-2025