National

Labor hangs on for victory in tight by-election

May 17, 2026

Labor leader Steven Miles — Labor has claimed the seat of Stafford in a by-election seen as a test of Steven Miles' leadership. -AAP Image

The governing Liberal National Party has conceded it won't win a closely fought Queensland by-election triggered by the sudden death of the local member.

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But a big swing away from Labor has forced the party's head to hose down speculation the result could lead to a move against his leadership.

Labor candidate Luke Richmond was ahead by about 700 votes in counting for the state seat of Stafford, in Brisbane's northern suburbs, on Sunday afternoon.

Premier David Crisafulli conceded LNP candidate Fiona Hammond would likely fail in her bid to claim the seat despite a 4.2 per cent swing towards her.

"The votes will continue to be counted. We will fall short, but I'm really proud of the effort," he said.

"This was a swing to an incumbent government that we've not seen the likes of for 100 years.

"This is a disastrous result for the Labor Party, a disastrous result for Steven Miles personally."

Labor's primary vote was down more than eight per cent, but party leader and former premier Steven Miles rejected speculation he could face a challenge after the result.

"Our team is united," he said on Sunday.

"Labor was never under any illusions that this would be a hard campaign, and the odds were stacked against us.

"(We faced) a very high-profile and experienced former councillor as the LNP candidate and David Crisafulli's deal with One Nation for them not to run and direct their supporters to vote LNP."

Voters were called to the polls on Saturday after the sudden death of former independent MP Jimmy Sullivan on April 9.

Mr Sullivan - who had a 6.83 per cent swing against him in the 2024 election - was expelled from the Labor Party in May 2025 over legal and medical concerns.

The seat has been held by Labor for most of its history, including Mr Sullivan's father Terry serving as the member from 2001 to 2006.

Standing alongside Mr Miles on Sunday, senior Labor MPs Cameron Dick, Grace Grace and Shannon Fentiman all said they backed his leadership.

"One hundred per cent, because he's the best person to lead the team," Mr Dick said.

Ms Fentiman said: "Steven is absolutely the best person to lead us, and we are 100 per cent behind him."

Mr Miles said Mr Hammond, a former Labor state secretary, would be a "community champion who will work hard to represent his community".