Labor MPs Ali France, Sarah Witty Deliver Maiden Speeches After May Election Wins

Ali France, the newly elected Labor MP who made history by unseating former opposition leader Peter Dutton in the 2025 federal election, delivered a heartfelt maiden speech to the Australian House of Representatives. In her speech, France paid tribute to her late 19-year-old son Henry, who died after an 18-month battle with leukaemia and was a significant motivation during her campaign. She recounted her traumatic experience in 2011 when she lost her leg after being hit by a car while protecting her young son Zac, an event she described as a day she was 'supposed to die.' France reflected on the difficulties she faced due to her disability, including challenges in employment and societal perceptions, which fueled her determination to join the Labor Party in 2016. She also acknowledged the influence of her family's Labor values and expressed gratitude to the medical professionals who saved her life. Her victory over Dutton marked the first time a sitting federal opposition leader lost their seat, underscoring the significance of her political and personal journey.