[1] He was born in Inglewood in 1891 to Irish parents Samuel John Sullivan and Sarah Maria (née Acton).

[1] In 1917 he set up a construction company in the Bay of Plenty, and in Whakatāne he was Mayor 1925–1938, the Harbour Board Chairman 1923–1926 and on the Council for almost 26 years.

He was a member of the United Party, but Charles Macmillan was the official candidate of the United–Reform Coalition, hence Sullivan stood as an Independent.

He was one of the "big four" (alongside Sidney Holland, Keith Holyoake and Clifton Webb) in cabinet and was allocated some of the most demanding portfolios.

Tensions on the wharves with waterfront workers ahead of the export season grew and on 20 September 1950 the government invoked the 1932 Public Safety Conservation Act during the so-called 'lampblack dispute' to resolve the faceoff.

The government invoked the Public Safety Conservation Act again on 21 February 1951, the next day gazetting emergency regulations which gave Sullivan sweeping powers during the ensuing period of the 1951 Waterfront dispute.

Sullivan faced threats to himself and his family, but refused to deal with the union's leaders, Jock Barnes and Toby Hill.