Ali France reflects on her surprising win over Peter Dutton in Dickson

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Incoming Labor MP Ali France has spoken after winning the Queensland seat of Dickson from outgoing Opposition leader Peter Dutton.

When asked what it felt like to have “slayed a dragon”, she summed it up with one word: “grateful”.

“I thank the people of Dickson, whether you voted for me or not, or whether you voted Labor for the first time. I’m actually so grateful,” she told Sky News.

France, who contested the seat for a third time, admitted the win was “a bit unexpected”.

“I expected it to be a lot closer than it was but I was hopeful,” France said.

In his, Dutton said he had called France and said she will “do a good job as a local member”.

The major win comes after a tough year, having lost her eldest son Henry to leukaemia early last year.

France said her late son’s strength has been a motivator throughout her campaign.

“He would say to me, No, Mum, you have to do this… I know you’re going to win this time,” she said.

“I feel he’s been with me on this journey. And although it’s been hard, I’ve just thought about his strength in his journey, and that’s kept me going.”

Who is Ali France?

France is a single mother-of-two who has been working in the community for the past seven years.

She became passionate about pursuing politics following her difficulties navigating the healthcare system after being hit by a car as a pedestrian and losing a leg in 2011.

Her younger son, Zac, who was with her at the time of the accident, was seen with his mum casting her vote today.

A woman in a red blazer putting a piece of paper into a ballot box.

Labor’s Ali France, with her son Zac, votes at Albany Creek State School in Moreton Bay, Queensland. Source: AAP / Jono Searle

On election morning, France spoke to SBS News’ Andrew Chappelle that she felt hopeful but that a result her way would not come from luck.

“We’ve worked exceptionally hard for seven years in this seat … People know me, they know what I stand for.”

In March, France told SBS News that she felt like Dutton was “out of touch” with the needs of the Dickson community, including addressing traffic gridlock.

“He hasn’t supported any cost of living relief and that’s probably the biggest issue in this community,” she said.

“We’ve [Labor] delivered lots of cost of living relief, including tax cuts for all workers, free TAFE, cheaper childcare, cheaper medicines, invested a heap into Medicare.”

Last election, single mother-of-two Ali France tightened the race in Dickson, gaining a 2.94 per cent swing that saw Labor achieve 48.3 per cent of the vote after preferences.

Last election, France tightened the race in Dickson to a slim 1.7 percent — making it

Dutton is the first Opposition leader to lose his seat during an election.

Prime ministers have lost their seats at elections before, notably former Liberal leader John Howard, who lost his seat of Bennelong in the 2007 election.

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