Chalmers, Ley in tears as France pays tribute to late son in first parliamentary speech

Australia Broadcast Center

9 hours ago

Federal politicians from across the aisle have been brought to tears as new Labor MP Ali France delivered an emotional first speech, where she paid tribute to her late teenage son as being "instrumental" to her success in defeating then-Liberal leader Peter Dutton.
Among those wiping away tears on the floor of parliament on Tuesday night were Opposition Leader Sussan Ley and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, as well as Ms France herself as she reflected on some of her final moments with her 19-year-old son Henry, who passed away from leukaemia in February 2024.
But her speech was also filled with pride, as she addressed the "epic journey" to becoming the first person in Australian history to unseat an opposition leader.
"Winning Dickson was highly unlikely, and to some, an insurmountable mountain," she said.
"It took seven years to climb, as a single mum, with one leg, battling one of the most prolific politicians of our time."
But her journey to Canberra was not sad nor happy, but "human," she said, as she promised her life experience would shape her contribution to public life.
When Ms France won the Brisbane seat, she was still grieving Henry's death, just over a year earlier.
"The week before [he passed], he was able to come home for a couple of nights," she said.
As he slept beside her, she was in awe of his courage and continual smile, despite "unbelievable pain and the never-ending hospital stays and treatments."
"I am so, so grateful for those hours," she said, wiping away tears.
"He told me many times that this election was my time.
"He was convinced I would win and said a number of times, 'don't make me the excuse for you not doing important things.'
"His words, his courage were with me every day of the campaign.
"Henry was instrumental in getting me to this place."
Ms France also spoke about building resilience, re-learning how to walk after one of her legs was crushed by a car in 2011.
The doctors who saved her life and helped her walk again were among the list of people she thanked in her first speech, as they watched on from the gallery above.
Also in attendance was her former boss and Queensland Labor leader, Steven Miles, whom she thanked for his support, alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and others.
She attributed succeeding — and putting an end to Mr Dutton's more than 20-year political career — 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," she said.
Also delivering her first speech on the opening day of parliament was the new member for Melbourne, Labor's Sarah Witty, who unseated former Greens leader Adam Bandt.
Alongside her passion for Melbourne, she spoke about pregnancy loss and becoming a foster parent.
"Over 10-plus years, we endured heartache after heartache, pregnancy after pregnancy, ending in loss," she told the House of Representatives.
"I remember one day, after a devastating loss, my mum gently said to me, 'maybe you were meant to be a mum for all children?'"
At the time, she was too shattered to hear those words, but they stuck.
"As the fog of grief lifted, I opened my heart and myself to a new path — I stepped into the world of foster care, not out of ease, but out of a deep need to turn my pain into something positive."
The cohort of new MPs will continue to deliver their first speeches, with Wednesday also marking the first Question Time of the new parliament.