Queensland MP Jimmy Sullivan found dead at home, non-suspicious death triggers by-election
Consensus Summary
Queensland independent MP Jimmy Sullivan, 44, was found dead at his Stafford home on April 9, 2026, around 10:15 PM, with police confirming the death is not being treated as suspicious. Sullivan had represented the Stafford electorate since his election in 2020 and was expelled from the Labor Party caucus in May 2025 after a highly publicized domestic incident allegation, though no charges were laid. He had been sitting as an independent since then. Sullivanās death follows a period of personal and political turmoil, including a breakdown in parliament where he disclosed suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after the death of his first daughter and the birth of his second. His father, Terry Sullivan, was a former Labor MP for the same seat. The incident will trigger a by-election in Stafford, and tributes have been paid by colleagues across political lines. Police are investigating the circumstances, with a coronerās report pending.
ā Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Jimmy Sullivan, 44, was the independent member for Stafford in Queensland parliament at the time of his death
- Sullivan was found dead at an address in Stafford, Brisbane, on April 9, 2026, around 10:15 PM local time
- Police attended the scene and are not treating Sullivanās death as suspicious, with a report to be prepared for the coroner
- Sullivan was first elected to Queensland parliament in 2020 and re-elected in 2024
- Sullivan was expelled from the Labor Party caucus in May 2025 and sat as an independent thereafter
- Sullivan was placed on leave by Labor Opposition Leader Steven Miles in October 2024 following a domestic incident allegation (no charges were laid)
- Sullivanās father, Terry Sullivan, was a former Labor MP for Stafford (2001ā2006)
- Sullivan previously served as chief of staff to former Queensland Attorney-General Yvette DāAth
- Sullivanās death will trigger a by-election in the Stafford electorate
- Sullivan had two daughters; his first daughter died, and he suffered post-traumatic stress after the birth of his second daughter
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Sullivan broke down in parliament in May 2025 while defending himself over government allegations of a domestic incident, stating he 'sweared' and that his legal team had never seen a matter dismissed so quickly
- Sullivanās expulsion from Labor came after Opposition Leader Steven Miles directed him to take leave until 'medical and legal matters' were resolved, citing failure to comply with a 'safe return to work plan'
- Sullivan was assistant minister for justice and veterans affairs from December 2023 to October 2024
- Sullivan described himself as a 'local through and through,' having grown up and gone to school in Stafford
- Sullivan worked in the office of Democratic US Senator Ron Wyden before entering politics
- Sullivanās father, Terry Sullivan, was a former teacher from 1991 until he decided not to recontest Stafford in 2006
- Sullivan was qualified as a lawyer and former judgeās associate in the District Court of Queensland
- Sullivan survived a 5.5% swing against him in the 2024 state election, where Labor lost to the LNP under David Crisafulli
- Sullivanās parliamentary webpage described him as a local through and through
- Police are reportedly investigating whether Sullivan possibly had a fall in the unit (per Courier-Mail)
- Colleagues from all sides of politics paid tribute to Sullivan after his death
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC and SMH state Sullivan was expelled from the Labor caucus in May 2025, but the Guardian does not specify a month, only that it was 'soon afterwards' after the October 2024 election
- The ABC and SMH mention Sullivanās breakdown in parliament in May 2025, but the Guardian does not explicitly reference this event
Source Articles
Breaking: Queensland state MP Jimmy Sullivan found dead
MP for Stafford Jimmy Sullivan has been found dead in Brisbane....
Colleagues pay tribute after Queensland MP Jimmy Sullivan, 44, found dead at home
A state MP has been found dead at his home, prompting condolences to his family from all sides of politics....
Stafford MP Jimmy Sullivan found dead after expulsion from party
The 44-year-oldās death is being treated by police as non-suspicious, with Premier David Crisafulli offering his condolences to Sullivanās family....
Jimmy Sullivan, Queensland state MP, dies at 44
Independent MP elected to the seat of Stafford in Brisbaneās northern suburbs in 2020 and disendorsed by Labor in 2025 Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news emai...
Queensland MP found dead in unit
A Queensland state MP has been found dead inside a unit in Brisbaneās north....