At the start of the period, the state was governed by a coalition of a Liberal group led by Arthur Morgan, and the Labour Party led by William Kidston, while the Conservatives led by former Premier Robert Philp sat in opposition. In 1906, Morgan left to become president of the Queensland Legislative Council, replacing Hugh Nelson who had died on 1 January, and Kidston became Premier. By March 1907, a major realignment had taken place — Kidston had split away to form his own party, the "Kidstonites", taking the ministry, numerous MPs and the coalition with him. By the 1907 state election, the parliamentary parties were as follows:
Kidstonites, led by William Kidston, consisting of Liberals and former Labour members.
1 On 12 April 1904, William Browne, the Labour member for Croydon, died. At the resulting by-election on 21 May 1904, Labour candidate William Murphy was elected.
2 On 9 September 1904, John Fogarty, the Liberal member for Drayton & Toowoomba, died. At the resulting by-election on 1 October 1904, Labour candidate Edward Smart was elected.
3 At the 1904 election, the result went to preferences and Liberal candidate Robert Hodge and Labour candidate Denis Keogh tied, with the returning officer declaring Hodge elected with his casting vote. A petition was lodged against Hodge's return and on 12 December 1904, the Elections Tribunal unseated Hodge and Keogh was duly sworn in.
4 On 14 April 1905, Arthur Cooper, the Liberal member for Mitchell, resigned. Labour candidate John Payne won the resulting by-election on 13 May 1905.
5 On 14 May 1905, George Martin, the Labour member for Burrum, died. Independent candidate Colin Rankin won the resulting by-election on 17 June 1905.
6 On 15 September 1905, John Dunsford, one of the Labour members for Charters Towers, died. Independent candidate William Paull won the resulting by-election on 7 October 1905.