Ali France's son died when he was 19. His message for his mum changed the course of her life.

In Australian politics, stories of resilience don't come much more powerful than Ali France's.

Earlier this month, after facing an unimaginable personal tragedy and a life-altering accident, the 51-year-old disability advocate achieved what many thought impossible: unseating Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in his Queensland electorate of Dickson after her third attempt.

It was a victory that not only helped secure Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's second term but made history — Dutton was the first federal opposition leader to ever lose his seat at an election.

Watch Ali France after her win. Article continues after video.

France's path to parliament has been anything but conventional.

In 2011, her life changed forever when an 88-year-old driver lost control of his car in a shopping centre car park. Quickly, she was able to push the pram with her son Zac, then four, out of the way, but the car struck her moments later, pinning her against another car.

The horrific accident left France seriously injured, and eventually resulted in her leg being amputated above the knee.

But the challenges didn't end there. In September 2023, her children's father, Clive France, lost his battle with cancer, and in 2024, France lost her eldest son, Henry, to leukaemia. She had spent 18 months by his side through treatment.

"My issues are their issues. I'm a single mother, I have a disability, I have a mortgage, I'm struggling with the cost of living," France told the ABC before the election.

Now, in an emotional 60 Minutes segment, France has opened up about the impact her children have had on her political career, including how her eldest son, Henry, convinced her to run again following his diagnosis.

"I said to him, 'Well, I won't be running in Dickson again'… and he was just so angry about that," France said.

"He said, 'Do not make me the excuse for you not doing important stuff'. And this is important stuff."

She explained that many have called her "disgraceful" for using her son for "political purposes" or to gain "sympathy", but she refuses to stop talking about him.

"I'll never stop talking about Henry, never. The day that I stop talking about Henry is the day I join him. And people can think of that whatever they will. I don't care," she said.

In the same interview, France recalled the horrific car accident that led to the amputation of her left leg and the moment she saved her son.

"I had a split-second to try and push Zacko out of the way," she recalled.

"The car just took me. There was smoke everywhere because he still had his foot on the accelerator."

Image: AAP

This wasn't France's first campaign in Dickson. The former journalist and para-athlete has contested the seat persistently since 2019, gradually building support and recognition throughout the electorate.

France has said she never considered a political career until after her life-changing accident in 2011, which spurred her advocacy work for people with disabilities.

In her victory, France defeated a man who had held the seat since 2001 — nearly a quarter-century of Liberal representation ended by a 10.6 per cent swing to Labor.

Peter Dutton's defeat is unprecedented in Australian political history — no federal opposition leader has ever lost their seat at an election.

In his concession speech, Dutton acknowledged the significance of the moment, saying the seat had a "one-term curse" but he had managed to hold it for 24 years.

"I thank the Australian people for the faith they have placed in me," Dutton said, congratulating France and wishing her luck.

As Dickson's new representative, France has campaigned on reducing healthcare costs and strengthening the NDIS and disability support.

In her first comments after the victory, France expressed gratitude to voters and volunteers while acknowledging her late son's influence on her journey.

"I wish you were here," she said of Henry, through tears.

"He was so insistent that I [didn't] give up, even to care for him. He was looking forward to being a part of this campaign, a part of this celebration and I can tell you Henry, you were," she said.

In her speech, France spoke of how Henry's memory was a driving force throughout her campaign.

Image: AAP

"Every time it felt too hard or too much I thought of you, and your courage and bravery and happiness and positivity to the very end," she said. "I carried that courage with me throughout this campaign, and it's got me here, even though my heart still aches for you. Thank you for giving me the strength to keep moving forward as you did."

As Labor celebrates securing an increased majority in the House of Representatives, France's personal victory stands as perhaps the most poignant story of the 2025 election — a testament to resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship, and proof that persistence can overcome even the most entrenched political obstacles.

Feature Image: X.