Peter Dutton Loses Dickson Seat: Meet Ali France, Woman Behind the Win

Labor is on course for a landmark victory, with projections indicating the party is set to unseat Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in a major national swing. In a significant development, former journalist Ali France is expected to claim Dutton’s seat of Dickson, with early vote counts suggesting a likely win for the Labor contender.

Dutton has trailed France since the initial ballots were counted, and while he had hoped for a turnaround once pre-poll votes were tallied around 8:30 p.m., early results show little sign of the bounce he needed.

Who is Ali France?

Ali France, a disability advocate, former journalist, and world champion para-athlete, has made history by becoming the first person to defeat an opposition leader in an Australian federal election. Running as the Labor candidate, she unseated Peter Dutton in the Brisbane seat of Dickson—on her third try.

Dutton had held the seat for 24 years and is the current leader of the Liberal Party. France, who began preparing for this election months ago, described the campaign as a tough challenge because of Dutton’s strong public profile and large advertising budget.

“He spent a lot on advertising, and we couldn’t match that,” France told The Guardian. “But our campaign focused on connecting with the community—knocking on doors, being at local markets, and staying visible.”

France also ran in 2019 and 2022, narrowing the gap each time. By the 2022 election, Dickson had become one of Queensland’s most marginal conservative seats, with fewer than 3,400 votes separating her from Dutton.

In 2011, France lost her leg in a car accident, and during the 2019 campaign, Dutton was criticised for suggesting she used her disability as an excuse for not living in the electorate. Despite that controversy, she continued to build local support over the years.

France, 49, is a single mother who lives in Arana Hills with her son, Zac. She tragically lost her eldest son, Henry, to leukaemia last year.

When she voted in Albany Creek on Saturday, France said she felt confident about her chances. “It’s been seven years of hard work. I’ve spoken with so many people in the community, and I think they really understand who I am and what I stand for.”

Her victory marks a significant moment in Australian politics, showing the power of community-based campaigning and determination.

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