11-05-2025
Ali France reveals her dying son's plea - and the shocking claim that spurred her to achieve the unthinkable and oust Opposition Leader Peter Dutton from his seat
Ali France has revealed the inspiring words her eldest son told her before he died from leukaemia at just 19 years old.
Ms France has suffered many adversities in her life - including a life-threatening crash that resulted in the loss of her leg, the death of her ex-husband and then her teenage son just months later.
But on May 3 she claimed victory over Peter Dutton for the Brisbane seat of Dickson, to oust the Opposition Leader from parliament. It was her third attempt against the man who had been the local MP for 24 years.
In an interview with 60 Minutes on Sunday, the Ms France revealed she almost gave up on politics when her eldest son, Henry, was diagnosed with leukemia in November 2022 while he was completing his HSC.
'I said to him, 'Well, I won't be running in Dickson again' … and he was just so angry about that,' Ms France recalled.
'He said, 'Do not make me the excuse for you not doing important stuff'. And this is important stuff.'
Henry and his younger brother Zac, both played integral roles in her election campaigns.
However, many critics accused Ms France during the recent campaign of trying to use her son's death to gain leverage against Mr Dutton.
'[People have said] that I'm using my son for political purposes. That I'm disgraceful because I'm talking about him and I'm a candidate in politics,' Ms France said.
'I'll never stop talking about Henry, never. The day that I stop talking about Henry is the day I join him.'
Henry had been an avid supporter of the Labor Party and his mother through two federal elections before she finally won her seat a year after his death.
This time she was assisted by 18-year-old Zac, who often joined her door-knocking and chatting with voters.
Yet just 14 years ago Ms France came awfully close to losing her youngest.
She and Zac, then just four years old, were at her local shopping centre when an elderly driver lost control of his car.
Ms France recalled pushing Zac away just moments before the car pinned her against another parked vehicle.
Her son escaped injury but her femoral artery was severed in the crash.
The injury was so severe Ms France's left leg had to be amputated without anaesthetic.
'I didn't feel any pain. I have a recollection of people standing over me, quite a lot of bright lights and things, but my brain essentially had just shut down,' Ms France recalled.
After years of physical and mental pain, Ms France challenged people's perceptions of disabilities by becoming a world champion canoeist and outspoken advocate.
Her work in the field eventually led her to politics.
Ms France was joined by Zac and her father - former state MP Peter Lawlor on election night as she was introduced to the crowd by former Queensland Premier Steven Miles.
She made history as the first candidate to oust a serving Opposition Leader from their seat.
Mr Dutton, who held the seat of Dickson for 24 years, congratulated Ms France on the night and wished her luck.
'We didn't do well enough in this campaign, that much is obvious,' Mr Dutton said during his concession speech.
'There are good members and candidates who have lost their seats ... and I am sorry for that.'
Although he may not have been there in person to see his mother's victory, Ms France credits her win to Henry.
On February 20, the first anniversary of his passing, Ms France shared a touching tribute to her son.
'I remind myself of his courage and bravery in the face of insurmountable odds every day. It drives me,' she wrote.
