Queensland MP Jimmy Sullivan reveals alleged domestic violence details

Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has demanded Labor release the return-to-work plan they relied on to boot embattled MP Jimmy Sullivan from caucus after an alleged domestic violence incident at his home last year.

Stafford MP Jimmy Sullivan in parliament. Picture: NewsWire / Tertius Pickard

You can now listen to The Australian's articles. Give us your feedback.

You can now listen to The Australian's articles.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has demanded Labor release the return-to-work plan they relied on to boot embattled MP Jimmy Sullivan from caucus after an alleged domestic violence incident at his home last year.

The extraordinary motion before parliament called on Opposition Leader Steven Miles to produce the document by 5pm Thursday and for Mr Sullivan, the member for Stafford in suburban Brisbane, to resign from parliament.

“The people of Stafford deserve more than a lame duck member … (with) so many questions hanging over his head that he has failed to explain,” Mr Bleijie said. “We saw repeated claims in media that Labor women didn’t want to sit next to him for whatever reason, no explanation as to why they said that. We saw the Opposition Leader come in here and defend him.”

Mr Sullivan was expelled from the Labor caucus this month for failing to adhere to a return-to-work plan, which required him to regularly provide updates on his health and not drink on the job. The second-term MP has vehemently denied suggestions he broke these rules.

Responding to the motion, Mr Sullivan confirmed police were called to his home the day after last year’s state election.

“I used words that we could describe in this place as unparliamentary, I swore,” he said.

“That’s the basis of what those matters are about.

“There was no violence.”

No criminal charges were laid following the alleged October 27 incident, and a civil matter brought by police was withdrawn.

“My legal team says they have never seen a matter dismissed so quickly,” Mr Sullivan said.

The member for Stafford took a three-month leave of absence from parliament following the alleged incident, before returning in February with the support of Mr Miles.

Mr Sullivan said he sought help after his daughter was stillborn in 2019, which he has previously said affected his relationship with alcohol.

“What I did was have PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) with the birth of our second daughter and I spiralled,” he said.

“It was quite confronting. It set me off, but I sought health care, and I did it, and I think that is a professional thing to do.

“What those opposite are doing to continue to attack me is nothing but disgusting.”

After being removed from caucus, Mr Sullivan was disendorsed as an MP by the Labor Party but remains a member.

Mr Miles said he would not engage with the motion as the return-to-work plan contained personal information not appro-priate to be released publicly.

“These actions were not taken lightly, but I’ve been very clear about the decision-making process,” he said.

“Rather than do their jobs, the LNP want to play stunts and petty games. It’s time they get on with governing.”

It is understood the plan will not be tabled.

Most Labor MPs left the chamber as the motion was introduced and debated.

Mr Sullivan confirmed he was still “Labor to his core” and would continue to vote alongside the party. He told The Australian he was “not going anywhere”.

“I was elected as a Labor MP and I will continue to serve my branch members who preselected me and my community who elected me,” he said.