Dickson Seat Turnover: Introducing Ali France, the Woman Who Unseated Peter Dutton
In a monumental victory, Labor candidate and grieving mother Ali France has shaken up the political landscape by dethroning Opposition leader Peter Dutton in the heart of Brisbane's west, Dickson. France's triumph came as a sweeping wave of support carried Labor to power, signifying a massive swing across the nation.
In the comfort of her family's arms, including her husband, Kirilly, and her son Zac, France received a gracious phone call from Dutton acknowledging her victory at around 9:30 pm. Dutton, who had maintained the Dickson seat for nearly a quarter of a century, commended France, expressing empathy for her loss of her son Henry in a tragic car accident in 2011.
Henry tragically lost his life to leukemia just months after his father, Claire's ex-husband, passed from cancer. Henry was a vibrant teenager, completing his HSC when diagnosed, and battling the disease for the following 18 months. His spirit never wavered despite the grueling hospital stay, a testament to his indomitable spirit, which was deeply treasured by his family and friends.
Losing Henry was a crushing blow for France, shattering her world forever. Each day since has felt like an eternity, as she mourns his absence. However, Zac, Henry's younger brother, has provided support and solace during these difficult times, becoming her saving grace.
Dutton had previously bested France in the 2019 and 2022 elections, but her persistence and resilience transformed Dickson into the sunshine state's most marginal conservative seat in the 2022 poll, with only 3,360 votes separating her from victory.
Tony Abbott, former Liberal prime minister, stood by Dutton's side as the reality of the loss began to set in. However, France's journey to victory was anything but ordinary.
In May 2011, she faced a life-changing moment while waiting for a lift at Brisbane's High Point Plaza. An out-of-control car slammed into her, pinning her against another vehicle and severing an artery in her left leg, resulting in the amputation of her leg. Yet her deepest fear was not the physical pain but the potential loss of her son, who miraculously escaped harm.
Local heroism saved France's life, with quick-thinking bystanders physically moving the car off her and applying a tourniquet to stymie the bleeding. Though the loss of her leg was devastating, it was the narrow miss with her son's life that haunted her in the days and weeks following the accident.
Labor minister Tanya Plibersek celebrated France’s victory, acknowledging her resilience in the face of personal tragedy and her determination to serve the electorate. "Ali France, who is our candidate for Dickson, we hope the next member for Dickson, she is a force to be reckoned with," Plibersek declared.
"This is her third time running, I think a lot of people know her background. She was in a terrible car accident, she lost her leg, she’s had some personal tragedy. She keeps turning up, she keeps working hard, she’s got a lot of charisma and a lot of grit... If it turns out that Ali France is the next member for Dickson, we will all be delighted because she’ll make a stellar contribution to our parliament."
[1] "Labor's Ali France wins Dickson: Peter Dutton loses seat of 24 years after swing to Labor", ABC News, 21 May 2025, https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-21/peter-dutton-loses-seat-alight-france-wins-dickson/13880296
[2] "Peter Dutton concedes Dickson in gracious phone call to Ali France", The Brisbane Times, 21 May 2025, https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/politics/federal/peter-dutton-concedes-dickson-in-gracious-phone-call-to-ali-france-20250521-p580p1.html
[3] "Albanese secures second term as Labor claims historic victory in federal election", The Sydney Morning Herald, 21 May 2025, https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-secures-second-term-as-labor-claims-historic-victory-in-federal-election-20250521-p580p6.html
- Despite the personal tragedy of losing her son Henry in a car accident and suffering an amputation of her leg, Ali France triumphed over Peter Dutton in the 2025 federal election, taking the seat of Dickson, traditionally a stronghold for conservative politics.
- News of France's victory was met with general excitement in the political landscape, with Labor minister Tanya Plibersek hailing her as a force to be reckoned with and a stellar addition to the parliament.
- The victory was also widely reported in health news, with many praising France's resilience in the face of adversity and her continued dedication to public service.
- Sports and war-and-conflicts news took a backseat as the nation focused on the political and crime-and-justice drama unfolding in the aftermath of France's decisive win.
- While some saw politics as the main story of the election, many felt that France's personal triumph added a humanitarian element to the usual political gladiatorial contest.
- Despite Dutton's commendation of France's resilience, some observers pointed out the irony in the fact that France's determination to serve the electorate was a result of a car accident that very nearly cost her son's life.
- In the milliseconds following the official announcement of France's victory, news networks were quick to add her name to the list of notable political figures who have defied the odds and risen from tragedy to hold influential positions in government.
