James Anthony Sullivan (5 January 1982 – 9 April 2026) was an Australian politician who served as the member for Stafford in the Queensland Legislative Assembly from 2020 until his death in 2026.

Early life James Anthony Sullivan was the son of Terry Sullivan who served as the member for Stafford from 2001 to 2006, and attended Padua College.

Political career Prior to his election to Stafford at the 2020 Queensland state election, Sullivan studied at the University of Queensland, worked as an Associate to a Judge of the District Court of Queensland, and in various government roles including as chief of staff to the Attorney-General of Queensland, Yvette D'Ath.

As MP for Stafford, Sullivan was promoted to Assistant Minister for Justice and Veterans' Affairs by then-premier Steven Miles after the 2023 Queensland Labor Party leadership election. He served in this position until the state election on 26 October 2024.

He was a member of the Parliamentary Crime and Corruption Committee and also the Education, Employment and Training Committee from 2020 to 2024.

He was re-elected as the member for Stafford on a 55.3% two-party-preferred vote, albeit suffering a 6.6% swing to his challenger Fiona Hammond, a long serving councillor for the Marchant Ward.

Personal life and death Shortly after the 2024 Queensland state election, the Queensland Police Service were called to Sullivan's home due to an alleged domestic incident, though he was not arrested or charged with a crime. A Queensland Police application to impose a domestic violence order against Sullivan was dismissed by a magistrate. On 12 May 2025, Sullivan was expelled from the Labor Party caucus as a result of a failure to adhere to a safe return to work plan put in place by the party. Sullivan stated in parliament that at the time of the alleged incident he was suffering from post-traumatic stress sparked by the birth of his second daughter, noting his first daughter had died.

Sullivan was found dead at his home in Stafford, Brisbane, on 9 April 2026. He was 44. A funeral was held at Little Flower Church, Kedron.

Further reading Inaugural Speech | Jimmy Sullivan's inaugural speech to Queensland Parliament, 26 November 2020

References