Labor MP Ali France investigated for electoral enrolment at vacant Brisbane property
Consensus Summary
Labor MP Ali France has been referred to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) by Queensland Liberal senator James McGrath, who alleges she is enrolled to vote at a vacant block of land in her Brisbane electorate. France, who defeated Peter Dutton in the 2025 election, claims she demolished her home in February 2026 to rebuild a more accessible property for her needs as a disabled woman. The AEC confirmed it received the referral on May 27, 2026, and stated it would investigate to ensure compliance with electoral laws. France has stated she will cooperate with the AEC and insists she has followed all electoral requirements, including updating her registrable interests. The Electoral Act mandates voters update their address if they move for more than a month, with penalties for non-compliance. France’s case has drawn attention to her past struggles to find accessible housing within her electorate, including a 2019 controversy where Peter Dutton criticized her for living in a neighbouring electorate after investing $100,000 to make her home wheelchair-accessible.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Ali France is a Labor MP who won the seat at the 2025 election by defeating Peter Dutton
- Queensland Liberal senator James McGrath referred France to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) on May 27, 2026, alleging she is enrolled to vote at a vacant block of land in the Brisbane electorate
- France claims she demolished her home in February 2026 to rebuild a house that suits her accessibility needs as a disabled woman
- The AEC confirmed it received McGrath’s referral letter on May 27, 2026, and stated it would investigate to confirm adherence to Commonwealth electoral laws
- France stated she would comply with any requests for information from the AEC
- The Electoral Act requires voters to update their address if they move to a new address for more than a month, with failure to update three weeks after that month resulting in a fine
- France’s residential address is listed within her electorate according to her registrable interests, while she also owns an investment property in the neighbouring electorate of Ryan
- France is an amputee and has previously stated she had difficulty finding a home inside the electorate that could accommodate her use of a wheelchair
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- McGrath’s statement called France’s enrolment at a vacant block 'as dodgy as they come'
- Peter Dutton attacked France in 2019 for 'using her disability as an excuse' for not living in the electorate, noting she had invested $100,000 to make her home accessible in a neighbouring electorate
- France had lived in a neighbouring electorate during the 2019 campaign
- France’s spokesperson said she had lived at the property for the past five years
- The AEC website states that if someone is absent from their enrolled address but intends to return, they do not need to update their enrolment, including if they intend to rebuild their house after a disaster
- France said she had made all the appropriate declarations, including her register of members' interests
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- TheAge and SMH state France demolished her home in February 2026, while ABC does not specify a month but confirms she is rebuilding her home
- TheAge and SMH mention France’s son is involved in the rebuild, but ABC does not reference her son in this context
Source Articles
Labor MP referred to AEC over claim she’s enrolled at vacant plot of land
Member for Dickson Ali France, who unseated Peter Dutton at the last election, has been referred to the AEC.
Labor MP referred to AEC over claim she’s enrolled at vacant plot of land
Member for Dickson Ali France, who unseated Peter Dutton at the last election, has been referred to the AEC.
Labor MP defends electoral registration to empty block amid rebuild
Dickson MP Ali France has been referred to the Australian Electoral Commission with claims she is registered to vote at a vacant suburban block in her north Brisbane electorate.