Labor MP Ali France, who rose to national prominence after defeating former Opposition Leader Peter Dutton at the 2025 federal election, has been referred to the Australian Electoral Commissioner for alleged electoral fraud.

Development application documents seen by the Daily Mail state that the block of land where France is enrolled in her Dickson electorate is vacant. 

The document, lodged on May 13, confirms there is no existing dwelling on the site and seeks approval for an entirely new building to be constructed.

Under federal law, if an individual is enrolled at an address where they do not genuinely reside, it may constitute an offence, particularly if false or misleading information has been provided to electoral authorities.

France remains enrolled on the electoral roll at that address at the time of writing. 

The MP purchased the Arana Hills property in 2021, and has it listed as her residential property in her register of interests. 

France also owns an investment property in The Gap, a suburb in the nearby electoral division of Ryan, which is also listed in her register of interests.  

The issue was canvassed during Senate Estimates on Tuesday night, when LNP Senator James McGrath questioned Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) officials about the legality of a parliamentarian being enrolled at a vacant block.   

McGrath did not name France during the exchange. 

‘If a federal Member of Parliament was enrolled, for example, on a vacant block of land, would they be in breach of the relevant legislation?’ McGrath asked Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope.

Pope responded: ‘If that is the person’s residential address, and there is no evidence of them residing at that address, then that would be a matter we’d need to examine further.’

McGrath continued: ‘If a Labor Member of Parliament is enrolled on a vacant block of land, that is something that you would look into?’ he said. 

‘If we had the information in front of us, we would then examine it,’ Pope said. 

Under section 101 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, Australians must enrol and keep their details up to date. 

It is an offence to fail to enrol or update an address within 21 days after one month of living at a new residence.

More serious offences may arise under the Criminal Code Act 1995.

Sections 136 and 137 make it an offence to provide false or misleading information or documents to a Commonwealth official in purported compliance with the law. 

Conviction for these offences carries a maximum penalty of 12 months’ imprisonment.

France confirmed her home on the now vacant block was knocked down in February. 

‘[My] house was knocked down in February to build a new home that is more suited to my needs as a disabled woman,’ she said in a statement to the Daily Mail. 

‘It should be completed by the end of the year and my son and I are very much looking forward to moving back when construction is complete.’ 

France rejected claims that she had violated any rules governing electoral enrolment.

‘I have lived at the address for five years and will continue to live at the address into future,’ she said. 

McGrath confirmed to the Daily Mail that he had called for an inquiry. 

‘I have written to the AEC Commissioner this morning referring Ms France for investigation,’ he said in a statement.

‘Ali France is in clear breach of the law as she is enrolled at a vacant block of land. Simple as that.’

France has emerged as a rising figure within the Labor Party, contesting Dickson in 2019 and 2022 before defeating Peter Dutton in a major upset at the 2025 election.

A former journalist and para‑athlete, her life changed in 2011 when a car pinned her in a shopping centre car park, leaving her with life‑threatening injuries and resulting in the amputation of her leg above the knee.

She has also endured personal tragedy. 

Her eldest son, Henry, died from leukaemia last year after she spent 18 months caring for him, while her former partner and the father of her children, Clive France, died from cancer in September 2023.