Queensland's Labor party has retained the northern Brisbane seat of Stafford in a byelection, but recorded an 8% swing against it on primary votes. Labor candidate Luke Richmond was ahead of Liberal National Party (LNP) candidate Fiona Hammond by about 700 votes on Sunday afternoon, though the result has not yet been officially declared.
Premier David Crisafulli conceded the LNP had fallen “agonisingly short”, praising his party's “incredible campaign”. LNP leader Steven Miles said he had the support of caucus to remain leader, despite the swing. Senior Labor MPs publicly backed him, with Grace Grace saying he was “absolutely the best person to lead us”.
The byelection was triggered by the sudden death of former Labor MP turned independent Jimmy Sullivan on 9 April. Sullivan had been expelled from the party in 2025 after winning re-election in 2024. The seat has been held by Labor for most of its history, including by Sullivan's father Terry from 2001 to 2006.
Miles attributed Labor’s victory to its campaign against what the party said was a 93-bed cut at the local Prince Charles hospital. He declared that the 2028 state election would be fought on health cuts. The Greens did not direct preferences, and One Nation did not stand a candidate, which the party said was due to the short campaign period.
