Voters head to polls for by-election in Brisbane seat of Stafford   

Topic:By-Elections

16 May 2026
ABC News
A graphic showing Fiona Hammond and Luke Richmond with blue and red in the background as well as Brisbane's skyline.
LNP's Fiona Hammond and Labor's Luke Richmond are vying to be elected as the member for Stafford at Saturday's by-election.

In short:
Voting is underway in the Brisbane seat of Stafford, with the poll expected to come down to Labor's Luke Richmond and the LNP's Fiona Hammond.

The by-election was triggered by the death of former Labor and independent MP Jimmy Sullivan.

What's next?
Polls will close at 6pm.

It's polling day for voters in the electorate of Stafford in Brisbane's north, in a by-election battle fought on fuel and health.

The contest was triggered by the death of former Labor and independent MP Jimmy Sullivan.

The poll is expected to come down to Labor's Luke Richmond, recent party assistant state secretary, and the LNP's Fiona Hammond, a former Brisbane City councillor.


Voters will choose who represents the seat of Stafford in Queensland parliament.

Mr Richmond said the campaign had been "one of the great joys of my life".

While Ms Hammond conceded it was a "Labor seat", she predicted the contest was "going to be close".

Labor has won Stafford in nine of the last ten elections.

However, its margin was cut to just over 5 per cent at the 2024 state election, which Ms Hammond unsuccessfully contested.

Luke Richmond in a park in Stafford
Luke Richmond has most recently been the assistant state secretary of Queensland Labor.

As of Thursday night, almost 35 per cent of the electorate's 41,000 voters had cast their ballot early.

Residents on Friday told the ABC issues important to them included health care, the cost of living, and infrastructure.

Health versus fuel
Labor has attempted to make the contest a referendum on health, claiming the government is cutting beds at the local hospital, a claim the LNP disputed.

The LNP has campaigned heavily on fuel, with a host of announcements in recent weeks to secure the state's long-term fuel sovereignty.

A blond woman in a blue suit and white pants outdoors and a man in a blue suit
Former Brisbane city councillor Fiona Hammond ran for the LNP at the 2024 state election.

Premier David Crisafulli said the LNP was the "underdog".

"But we've got a really good candidate, and we are spelling out a vision as a government, and I think that is in contrast to what people see from the other side."

An election sign showing a blonde woman posing with a man.
The LNP has been campaigning heavily on fuel.

In parliament this week, the government attempted to paint anything less than a double-digit swing to Labor as an indictment on Steven Miles as leader.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Miles dismissed those attacks.

"The result of this by-election won't change the government, and it won't change the Labor leadership."

Nine candidates in total are contesting the poll, including the Greens' Jess Lane, after securing around 18 per cent of the primary vote at the last state election.

Jess Lane Greens candidate stafford    
Jess Lane, running for the Greens, is among nine candidates contesting the by-election.

The Greens are running an open ticket, choosing not to direct voters on how to number their preferences.   

One Nation is a notable omission from the contest, stating its focus is on the next state election in 2028.

Stafford recorded a strong turnout of just over 90 per cent in the 2024 election.

A picture of a Labor party election sign for Luke Richmond on a white fence.
Stafford has historically been a safe Labor seat.

But Queensland Electoral Commissioner Pat Vidgen said he was concerned based on the early voting figures.

"Based on the current trend, the electorate is tracking toward 80 per cent, which would be a significant drop off from 2024," Mr Vidgen said.

"We know everyone's lives are busy, and it can be difficult to take time to vote, but it is important for as many people as possible to have their say in choosing the next member for Stafford."

Polls in the electorate close at 6pm.