A Queensland state MP has been found dead in a Brisbane unit.
Police found the body of Jimmy Sullivan, 44, at a unit in Stafford, north of Brisbane, shortly after 10pm on Thursday.
They have confirmed his death is being treated as non-suspicious, with an investigation into whether he had a fall being conducted by police, according to the Courier-Mail.
Born into a Labor family, Jimmy grew up in Brisbane’s northern suburbs and attended Padua College in Kedron. He later remained based in north Brisbane throughout his political career.
His father, Terry Sullivan, was also a Labor figure, first elected to the Queensland Legislative Assembly in 1991 as the member for Nundah after his work with the Queensland Teachers’ Union, and later serving two terms as government whip.
At the time of his death, Jimmy and his wife, Carolyn McAnally, were living locally and raising their family in the area, according to his state member profile.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has paid tribute and said the state’s residents would be “shocked” to hear of his death.
“Mr Sullivan was elected to the Queensland Parliament in 2020, following in his father’s footsteps,” the Queensland premier said.
“On behalf of all Queenslanders, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family during his difficult time.”
Tributes have poured in from other political figures, with former Labor MP for Redlands Kim Richards adding that he was “a great colleague, a valued member of our committee team and a real support to me”.
“While he faced his own challenges, I will remember the time I worked with him with gratitude and respect. My thoughts are with his family and friends. Vale Jimmy”.
Jimmy was first elected to parliament in October 2020. Three years later, he was appointed to the role of Assistant Minister for Justice and Veterans’ Affairs.
He was expelled from the state Labor caucus last year and has remained in parliament as an independent, following scrutiny for personal issues and an allegation of a domestic violence raised in parliament by the government, which he denied.
Jimmy later referenced personal mental health challenges and said he was focused on representing his local community.
Image: Facebook
