New Labor MP Ali France, who unseated former opposition leader Peter Dutton in May’s election, has delivered an emotional first speech in parliament, paying tribute to her late teenage son.
France shared details of her “epic journey” to becoming the first person in Australian history to unseat an opposition leader, after she battled Dutton over seven years for the seat of Dickson, north of Brisbane.
A former journalist and Paralympian, France beat Liberal Party leader Dutton on her third try at the seat, with a 56 per cent to 44 per cent voting result.
“Winning Dickson was highly unlikely, and to some, an insurmountable mountain,” France said. “It took seven years to climb, as a single mum, with one leg, battling one of the most prolific politicians of our time.”
In her speech, France promised her life experience would shape her contribution to public life, noting that her journey to Canberra wasn’t sad or happy, but simply “human”.
In February 2024, France’s 19-year-old son Henry died from leukaemia, and she said it was his words and courage that were with her at every step of her campaign for the seat of Dickson.
“He told me many times that this election was my time,” France said of Henry.
“He was convinced I would win and said a number of times, ‘don’t make the excuse for you not doing important things’.”
“Henry was instrumental in getting me to this place.”
France also spoke about building resilience and navigating life after an accident in 2011 left her with one leg.
She was with her youngest son, Zac, at the time when a driver lost control of his car and pinned her against another car. Zac, who was 4-years-old, was pushed out of the way, but France had to have her leg amputated.
“The ground shifted, everything was hard to navigate, and I was pitied,” she said. “But I survived and so did my baby Zac.”
“Everyone in my life remembers the day I was supposed to die.”
During her speech, both surgeons who France credits with saving her life and helping her to walk again sat and watched her speak from the gallery: Prof Martin Wullschleger and orthopaedic surgeon Dr Munjed al Muderis, a refugee surgeon from Iraq.
Many others watching from the floor of parliament were seen wiping away tears at France’s heartfelt speech, including Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
France thanked those who supported her political career, attributing her success to “a lifetime of small acts of kindness and support from so many good people”.
“Kindness, a helping hand, opportunity, and open doors have got me here, and that’s what I will be giving to the people of Dickson.”