Jimmy Sullivan, Queensland state MP, dies at 44

Jimmy Sullivan, the MP for Stafford, Queensland pictured in November 2020. He has died at the age of 44. Photograph: Darren England/AAPJimmy Sullivan, the MP for Stafford, Queensland pictured in November 2020. He has died at the age of 44. Photograph: Darren England/AAPJimmy Sullivan, Queensland state MP, dies at 44

Independent MP elected to the seat of Stafford in Brisbane’s northern suburbs in 2020 and disendorsed by Labor in 2025

A Queensland state politician has been found dead at his home.

Jimmy Sullivan, 44, was the independent MP for the Queensland electorate of Stafford in Brisbane’s north.

Police were called to Sullivan’s Stafford home unit about 10.15pm on Thursday where they found his body.

The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, released a statement on Friday morning offering his condolences to Sullivan’s family for his “sudden passing”.

“On behalf of all Queenslanders, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during this difficult time,” he said.

Sullivan was elected to parliament as a Labor MP in 2020 and served as assistant minister for justice and veterans affairs under the former premier, Steven Miles.

He was the son of former Labor MP Terry Sullivan, who also served the Stafford electorate from 2001 to 2006.

Before entering parliament he was a long-serving chief of staff to former attorney general Yvette D’Ath.

He was re-elected in the 2024 state election, surviving a 5.5% swing against him as the Miles government was defeated by the David Crisafulli-led Liberal National Party.

He fell out with Labor soon afterwards, with police called to an alleged domestic incident at his home the day after the election.

No charges were ever laid.

Jimmy Sullivan (centre) during question time at Queensland parliament in September 2024. Photograph: Darren England/AAP

He was placed on leave to attend to medical and legal issues, before being disendorsed by Labor in May 2025, forcing him to the crossbench.

Speaking as an independent in parliament for the first time, Sullivan broke down, telling MPs he was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder caused by the death of his first daughter.

“I spiralled, I recognise that, and I put my hand up for healthcare,” he told parliament.

Miles, then opposition leader, accused Sullivan of failing to adhere to a “safe return-to-work plan”.

On Friday, Miles released a statement on behalf of the Labor party saying: “Our thoughts are with Jimmy’s family, friends and community this morning as we all process this news”.

On his parliamentary web page, Sullivan described himself as “a local through and through” who had grown up and gone to school in the electorate.

Before politics, he was a lawyer and former judge’s associate in the district court of Queensland.

He worked across government and law reform in Canberra, Brisbane and Washington DC, working in the office of Democratic senator Ron Wyden.

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