In the 2004 election he maintained his majority from 2001 against National Party challenger Bob Bennett, a former senior police officer and brother of Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett. 2004 was to be the last time the One Nation Party contested the seat. Lawlor attracted 54.1% of the primary vote, an increase of 3.2% and maintained his two party preferred result of 60%. The Courier-Mail speculated that Lawlor was a front-runner for a Cabinet position immediately after the election but Margaret Keech, the Member for Albert was promoted.