In a stunning upset, disability advocate Ali France has defeated Australia’s opposition leader, Peter Dutton, in his own constituency. France’s victory, achieved on Saturday after two previous attempts, marks a significant moment in Australian politics and is part of a broader federal election win for the incumbent Labor Party over Dutton’s conservative Liberal Party.
France’s personal story adds a poignant dimension to her political triumph. A former journalist, communications professional, and para-athlete, she lost her leg in a car accident in 2011, an experience that fueled her commitment to protecting Australia’s public healthcare system. She had previously contested the seat of Dickson, held by Dutton for 24 years, on two occasions.
Adding to the emotional weight of her victory, France had spent the 18 months leading up to the election caring for her son, Henry, who tragically passed away from leukemia at the age of 19 early last year.
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“Life’s bittersweet, isn’t it?” she told Sky News after her victory. “It is a series of highs and lows.”
France revealed that her son had encouraged her to run again, even as she considered withdrawing to care for him. “We discussed it a lot, and I thought I wouldn’t be running because I would be caring for him. And he would say to me, ‘No, Mum, you have to do this. I know you’re going to win this time’. And I feel he’s been with me on this journey.”
Preliminary data from the Australian Electoral Commission indicates a significant swing of around 8 percentage points towards the Labor Party in the Dickson constituency. This swing easily ousted Dutton, who had held the seat in the northern state of Queensland with a narrow margin of 1.7 percentage points in the 2022 election.
Acknowledging the defeat, Dutton said at a party event in Brisbane, “Ali and I have been combatants for a number of elections now, but she was successful in Dickson tonight and she will do a good job as a local member.”
France’s victory is being seen as a symbol of resilience and determination, and her story is likely to resonate with audiences far beyond Australia’s borders.
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